What’s So Amazing About Easter?
John 20-21
Rev. Brian Bill
3/23/08
These four individuals have discovered that life is worth the living because the loving Lord is alive. That’s a pretty cool tradition that they’ve had – to meet at Starved Rock every Easter to watch the sunrise. This time it seems like they’ve been impacted by the rising of the Son of God.
Thanks to a very generous gift from Pontiac Bible Church, this past weekend our family went to a waterpark, located directly across from Starved Rock. We never made it over to the rocks because of the weather but we did have a great time in the water. As part of the package, we had unlimited access to a brand-new indoor amusement center, located adjacent to the lodge. Complete with nine full-size rides, flashing lights and loud music, it felt like a county fair, except that the rides seemed newer and there were no deep-fried Twinkies.
When we went inside, we made a beeline to the first ride. As we waited in line I announced to the entire family that I was going to go on every ride in the amusement park. Our girls were amused by this because the older I get the queasier I get on rides. As I climbed into a little car held up by a couple pieces of dental floss I smiled bravely to Megan and we took off. It didn’t take long for me to feel sick but I just took some deep breaths and prayed like mad that the ride would end soon. When I stumbled off the ride our girls chuckled as I told them that I was finished at the amusement center. They all went on a bunch more and then we left and went back to the waterpark.
Later on we returned to the amusement center and I eyed a little-kid ride (a swing) in the corner and decided to try again. This time Beth and Megan strapped in next to me and we took off…and so did my stomach. I thought I was going to be sick and it wasn’t going to be pretty. Beth told me to look straight ahead but when I did my insides almost came outside. I broke out into a full-body sweat and my mouth started watering. Beth asked if I wanted the ride to stop. At first I thought I could make it to the end but quickly realized that I was already at the end. She tried to get the operator’s attention while I closed my eyes, put my head down and prayed like mad. He finally shut it down and I stumbled over to a bench while Beth dragged a garbage can next to me. Just then we saw someone who attends PBC. I could barely talk so I mumbled a greeting to her as she and her family walked off hurriedly.
My adventures at the amusement park will go down in our family lore and part of my legacy will be that I almost lost my lunch on a kiddy ride.
It strikes me that many today are just going through life wanting to be amused. Some of us are seeking every thrilling ride we can find while others have realized that this doesn’t satisfy, and even leaves us feeling a bit sick inside. I’d like to suggest that on Easter Sunday ‘08 you and I have a choice to make. We can seek to be amused or we can be amazed.
* The word “amused” literally means to stop musing or thinking. It’s often a pleasure sought in order to direct our attention away from serious matters.
* The word “amazed,” on the other hand means to bewilder, or literally, to bring into a maze. It has the idea of confounding and being so astonished that one does not know what to say. It’s also used of inspiring awe or wonder.
Perhaps you’ve caught on already that each actor this morning represents individuals in the original Easter drama: Mary Magdalene, John, Peter and Thomas. You can read more about this amazing account in the last two chapters of the Gospel of John. Each of these individuals, who are just like some of us, experienced Easter amazement.
1. Mary had her weaknesses wiped out. John 20:11 tells us that Mary stood outside the empty tomb crying. Did you know that the first Easter was filled with a wide array of emotions? Here are some words I came across as I read all four gospels this week: crying, alarmed, bewildered, joy, trembling, afraid. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb “and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head, the other at the foot.”
In Verse 14 Mary turns around and sees Jesus but doesn’t recognize Him. He then spoke words of comfort when he asked her the first of two questions in verse 15: “Woman, why are you crying?” I want you to notice that Jesus does not rebuke her for crying or for grieving greatly. Instead he gently invites her to talk about her sorrow. Friend, Jesus knows all about those things that make you sad. He understands your fear and anxiety. And He wants to walk through your pain with you. That’s just what Pastor Jeff preached last Sunday.
Jesus not only asks about her sorrow but He also wants to know about her seeking. He tenderly prods with a second question, “Who is it that you are looking for?” He doesn’t ask her “what” she is looking for but “whom.” Until we find Jesus, each of us are looking for someone as well. Sadly, many of us are on a search for something, when we should be looking for someone. Only Jesus Himself can meet our deepest needs. Are you crying on the inside today? Are you like Mary in the drama where you just feel messed up and mixed up? Jesus knows all about it. Invite him into your pain. Who are you searching for? If you search for Jesus, you will find Him because He meets you right where you are.
In verse 16, Jesus says just one word to her, “Mary.” Actually, in the original he uses her Aramaic name, “Miriam.” He speaks her native name in her native tongue. This was the name that family and friends used. And Jesus always called her Miriam when He spoke to her. Many of you have a name that only your family calls you. My dad gave me a name when I was a little boy that he still uses today. Whenever he calls me “buckshot,” I immediately drop what I’m doing and look up. It’s my name and when he speaks it, I know my dad has a smile on his face.
All Jesus had to do was speak her name and verse 16 tells us that she immediately turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni.” This was a term of highest respect. It was more than just “rabbi.” It was like she was saying, “My master and my teacher.” The Resurrected Christ is speaking your name this morning. Jennifer. Don. Jackie. Ron. Do you hear Him? Will you follow Him? Will you surrender to Him?
2. John believes and receives. After Mary tells Peter and John about what happened, Peter and John take off for the tomb, with John outrunning old Pete. Have you ever noticed that there’s a lot of running related to the Resurrection? It’s like they couldn’t sit still or walk but had to run. When John arrives he bends over to take a look into the burial place where he saw the strips of linen that had been wrapped around the body of Jesus. He eventually went inside and when he looked around, the Bible says, “He saw and believed.”
Three different words for “seeing” are used in this account. In verse 5, the verb simply means, “to glance or look in.” In verse 6, the word means, “to look carefully.” The word “saw” in verse 8 means to “perceive with intelligent comprehension.” It’s the idea of seeing with an inner light that leads one to a conclusion. In other words, the light went on for him. That’s what happened when John in our drama went to the funeral for his boss. Does that describe you today? Have you been thinking about spiritual matters and they’re beginning to make sense? Keep seeking and searching and you’ll eventually believe as well.
3. Peter gets a second chance. Have you ever stopped to think that Jesus knows everything about you, and likes you anyway? He cares deeply for you, regardless of what you’ve done, or how you’ve been living. In Mark 16:7, the angels tell the women specifically to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus was alive. Even the angels wanted Peter to know that it wasn’t over just because he had bailed on Jesus. Heaven knows his name and God’s messengers want Peter to experience the gospel of the second chance. God loves to fully restore fallen failures.
Many days after the Resurrection, Jesus grills some fish on the beach and has a conversation with Peter. After breakfast is over, Jesus publicly forgives and reinstates him. As Peter smells the charcoal fire and feels its heat, he is reminded of how he warmed himself next to a fire in a courtyard right before he denied Jesus three times.
It’s curious that the questions asked by Jesus have to do with Peter’s level of love: “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these? Simon son of John, do you truly love me? Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Jesus could have asked Peter anything, or did some teaching, or told a parable, but He chose to ascertain His follower’s love level.
Peter had a fresh start and like Pete in the drama he was now free. His denial had not disqualified him. Likewise, your failures are not final. No matter what you’ve done, you can be forgiven as well. The Resurrection gives us hope for healing and the assurance that all our sins are forgiven.
4. Thomas’ doubts were dealt with. While the disciples who gathered in the upper room on Easter Sunday night received peace and power, there was one guy who wasn’t there to see Jesus with his own eyes. His name is Thomas. When he heard that they had been with Jesus he crossed his arms and said in verse 25: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
We don’t really know why Thomas wasn’t with the other disciples that night. Maybe he was so down and disappointed that he just turned inward and pulled away from people. As a result he missed seeing the Lord. Friends, no matter how discouraged you are, you need to be with God’s people in God’s house in order to hear God’s words. Solitude only feeds discouragement, which can grow into self-pity. Make it a practice to be in church each week, whether you feel like it or not. That way you’ll be sure to not miss anything!
Thomas’ words help us to differentiate between doubt and unbelief. A person who doubts says, “I cannot believe.” A person who is filled with unbelief says, “I will not believe.” In the Greek text, Thomas uses a double negative: “I positively will not believe.”
A week later, the disciples are gathered together once more, and this time Thomas is with them. Even though the doors were locked again, Jesus miraculously appeared and for the third time said, “Peace be with you.” We read in verse 27: “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’” Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had said a week earlier; no one had to tell Him. He then deals with Thomas in a very personal way as He invites him to deal with his doubts by touching His hands and side.
The phrase, “Stop doubting and believe” is literally translated, “Stop becoming faithless but become a believer.” Just as the Lord had a personal interest in “doubting Thomas,” He wants to deal with your doubts and disbelief as well. Some of you may have some genuine intellectual questions about the Christian faith. If you do, and you’re serious about getting some answers, the Lord will give you the evidence you’re looking for.
However, some of you may be hiding behind your questions and doubts when the truth of the matter is that you have a hard heart and you don’t want to believe. In other words, you’re not really interested in the proof of Christianity because you don’t want to stop living the way you’ve been living. Your problem may not be intellectual in nature; it may be moral.
Jesus welcomed Thomas with all of his doubts. There should be a sign over every church that says, “Doubters Welcome” because the road to real faith often starts with doubts. Faith isn’t a feeling but a conscious choice to believe what God has said. Faith acts even in the midst of doubt. When Thomas came face-to-face with the Resurrected Christ, He made a bold confession in verse 27: “My Lord and my God!” He was so amazed that he didn’t have to put his fingers in the wounds. Instead he worshipped.
Jesus did not come just to live a good life and to be a good teacher. He came in order to die as full payment for our sins. The resurrection validates all of His claims and verifies that He has conquered sin, Satan, and death. The disciples had the privilege of seeing Jesus with their own eyes. Thomas was able to investigate for Himself. But it wasn’t the seeing that saved them; it was their believing. Verse 29: “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you are blessed. You have believed without seeing.
Easter Action
Easter is amazing. The Resurrection should make us run. If you’re truly amazed, then you will take action. Mark 9:15 says, “As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet Him.”
The Bible says that there are really only two different groups of people here today – those who have not yet believed and those who have already believed. I’d like to suggest an Easter action step for each group, starting with those of you who are not yet believers.
* Believe and receive. Easter is so amazing that if you’re not yet a Christ-follower, can I urge you to become one today? It’s time to believe and receive. To believe involves facts, feelings and faith. It’s not enough to just know some truth or just feel some emotions. You must also make a decision. Instead of just looking for a thrill by being amused, it’s time to engage your will and be amazed.
To believe biblically means to “cling to, rely on, and trust in” and involves the intellectual, emotional and volitional elements. In other words, it’s not enough to just know something in your head or feel good about it in your heart. A decision of the will must be made.
Let me demonstrate with this bench. I can intellectually look at the facts and determine that this bench will hold me if I sit on it. I can even feel good about how the bench looks and feel emotionally attached to it. But until I actually put my weight on it by sitting down, I have not fully believed. Belief must ultimately become personal, where I depend on the finished work of Christ on the cross and in the power of the Resurrection for forgiveness of sins. It’s not for sale because it’s already been paid for…but it does need to be received. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” And in John 5:24, Jesus adds: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
The word “amazed” appears 39 times in the Bible and 37 of those times it is used of people being in awe of Immanuel. Some were amazed and praised (Luke 5:26) and others were amazed and went away (Matthew 22:22). There are two other instances where the word is used to describe the amazement of Jesus. In Luke 7:9 He is amazed at the high level of a man’s faith and in Mark 6:6 He is amazed at a group of people’s lack of faith. Here’s a question. Is Jesus amazed at the level of your faith or at the lack of your faith today? Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God…” It doesn’t matter whether you’re struggling, grieving, doubting or in need of a second chance. What matters is whether or not you will believe and receive.
* Go and show. If you’ve already met the resurrected Christ, then it’s time to tell others about how amazing He really is. In Matthew 28:6-7, the angel said to the women: “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead…’” That’s what the people in the videos were trying to do. If you’re a born again Christian you should be so amazed at what happened on Easter that you become an “amazement ambassador” and tell others the Good News of the empty tomb.
We believe and receive and we go and show because God’s grace is amazing. I wonder, are you ready to get off the amusement ride and begin an amazing relationship with the Resurrected Christ? If you’re a believer and you’ve become kind of blah about your beliefs, are you ready to be His ambassador? The question is really this: Are you amazed by Easter?
Video: Are you Amazed?
Closing
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Have an amazing Easter!
