The Reward of Easter!
Illus. by Andrew Chan
A Sunday School teacher asked her class on the Sunday before Easter if they knew what happened on Easter and why it was so important. One little girl spoke up saying: "Easter is when the whole family gets together, and you eat turkey and sing about the pilgrims and all that." "No, that’s not it," said the teacher.
"I know what Easter is," a second student responded. "Easter is when you get a tree and decorate it and give gifts to everybody and sing lots of songs." "Nope, that’s not it either," replied the teacher.
Finally a third student spoke up, "Easter is when Jesus was killed, and put in a tomb and left for three days." "Ah, thank goodness somebody knows" the teacher thought to herself.
But then the student went on: "Then everybody gathers at the tomb and waits to see if Jesus comes out, and if he sees his shadow he has to go back inside and we have six more weeks of winter."
Isn't that the truth? We as humans, we all have different ideas about Easter. For some it's just another family day, that families come together and eat.
For children of all ages, they look forward to getting all the goodies in their Easter basket. And for the small children of course, they look forward to finding the eggs that the Easter bunny somehow miraculously left behind.
Happy Easter! I'm not sure who coined the phrase. But the road that led to the resurrection that early Sunday morning, was not all that of a happy one. What JESUS endured for you and I, was an amazing miracle!
Isaiah 53:2-10 MSG
2-6 The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
on him, on him.
7-9 He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn’t say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he’d never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn’t true.
10 Still, it’s what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.
God's plan as to deeply prosper through what Jesus did on the cross on that first Easter weekend so long ago. Was started with The Son of Gods unselfish act of Love! The Easter revolution has touched more than 2 Billion followers, statistics tell us.
(Killing JESUS by Bill Oreilly)
And how is it possible, that one man's actions has touched so many people and caused them to want to become believers?
Only one thing could have caused that, "Gods Grace!" It was God's plan all along to reconcile man unto himself and establish an ongoing and loving relationship with his children. A plan that had been waiting since the beginning of time!
He sent his son and Jesus willingly accepted the assignment, to deliver Gods Amazing Gift of Grace to save a lost and dying world!
The unattainable law, that the children of Israel so desperately wanted. Which was flawed from the beginning and never designed to work, had to be replaced with a more and better way, called Grace!
It was the only way, that mankind could be saved from and endless death and ever be able to experience the eternal life! God so looked forward to giving to whosoever would believe!
John 3:16 NKJ
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life
The first step is to believe that Jesus died for you! But Gods only Grace is what makes it possible.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJ
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Jesus, God's gift of Grace to the world, the only way to eternal life. Not made possible by our doing, but only by His generous act of Love! If we only can have faith enough to believe?
Hebrews 11:6 NKJ
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Faith, faith is what makes the reality of the resurrection real for millions of believers all across the globe today.
History tells of the event and records it on paper, but it is faith in the miracle that sprang forth from it, that writes it down in the Lambs Book of Life and let's us proudly proclaim, when we accept Jesus and become born again, that;
"There's a new name written down in Glory and it's mine!
Thank You Jesus for the Cross and the Resurrection!
John 20 1-2 Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, “They took the Master from the tomb. We don’t know where they’ve put him.”
It is interesting to note, that this same Mary is the woman who washed Jesus feet and dried them with her hair and anointed Jesus with her precious box of alabaster filled with very costly perfume,
Much to the dismay of all who were there that day, who thought it was a waste of money to do such a thing
The same woman that Simon the Pharisee, said wasn't worthy to do such an act! Was now the first one, out of all of Jesus followers to discover the miracle that had taken place!
God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him!
3-10 Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. The disciples then went back home. (Where did they go?)
11-13 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?”
13-14 “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize him.
15 Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?”
She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.”
16 Jesus said, “Mary.”
Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!”
17 Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” And she told them everything he said to her.
Again, the other two..Peter and John would have both been capable of telling the others what Mary had saw...but he chose Mary!
TBS. But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb...she was still seeking Jesus. The other two had left and she was still looking for Jesus, hoping that she would find Him...and she did!
God is a rewarder, of those who will diligently seek Him...your background has nothing to do with it, but your faith has everything to do with it!
19-20 Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.
(All the miracles they had seen up to this point, failed in comparison as to the miracle they were seeing stand in front of them. all the rumors had been put to rest, the Risen Saviour was standing right in front of them!)
20-21 The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”
22-23 Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”
He was telling them all, everyone was worthy of forgiveness. Whoever would come and seek Him, was not only worthy of forgiveness, but the reward of eternal life as well.
The disciples, wether they saw it coming or not, had all been elevated to the next level in their walk with the Son of God!
24-25 But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”
But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”
(there's always that one in the crowd isn't there? But thank goodness that Jesus is so loving and patient with us! Always willing to even go the extra distance for that one in the crowd!)
26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
Jesus is always willing to go the extra mile! That's a reoccurring theme you'll find over and over in the Bible!
Luke 15:4-7 MSG
4-7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
TBS. That God is a patient God! Jesus didn't reprimand Thomas or any of the disciples when they questioned His resurrection. After all, He had told them repeatedly that it was going to happen!
Human natures tells me that, I imagine each and everyone of them questioned what Mary told them and if it was really true, or if it was to good to be true! After all they have the luxury of a smart phone, or the ability to google and check the news!
He could have said a lot of things to them, like oh ye of little faith! But what
He did was Love them unconditionally! He was patient with them, all the while
Loving them!
And God is still a patient and Loving God to you and I
2 Peter 3:8-9 MSG
8-9 Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
I want to close with the last verse of our text
29 Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
All the blessings we enjoy today stem from this premise! Better blessings
are in store for those who believe without seeing.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJ
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Every blessing we enjoy was and is made possible by what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us!
Because of what He did for us, we can have;
Forgiveness for our sins,
Eternal life,
Health and Healing in our bodies,
Prosperity and abundant life,
Joy and every other Blessing, that only God can think of!
All of those things are rewards of diligently seeking God and believing what the Cross accomplished for you! There all free gifts, but only made possible by faith and the pursuit of them through a relationship with Jesus!
All of those things represent growth in your walk with God and all of us should
want to daily grow our relationship we have with our maker! Just like Mary was rewarded as she was willing to seek out Jesus, so will you be, when you do!
CYMBALA'S EASTER STORY, by Davon Huss
Jim Cymbala preaches at a church in the slums of New York. He tells the following story: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down my tie and sat down and draped my feet over the edge. It was a wonderful service with many people coming forward. The counselors were talking with these people.
As I was sitting there I looked up the middle aisle, and there in about the third row was a man who looked about fifty, disheveled, filthy. He looked up at me rather sheepishly, as if saying, “Could I talk to you?”
We have homeless people coming in all the time, asking for money or whatever. So as I sat there, I said to myself, though I am ashamed of it, “What a way to end a Sunday. I’ve had such a good time, preaching and ministering, and here’s a fellow probably wanting some money for more wine.”
He walked up. When he got within about five feet of me, I smelled a horrible smell like I’d never smelled in my life. It was so awful that when he got close, I would inhale by looking away, and then I’d talk to him, and then look away to inhale, because I couldn’t inhale facing him. I asked him, “What’s your name?”
“David.”
“How long have you been on the street?” “Six years.”
“How old are you?” “Thirty-two.”
He looked fifty--hair matted; front teeth missing; wino; eyes slightly glazed.
“Where did you sleep last night, David?” In an “Abandoned truck.”
I keep in my back pocket a money clip that also holds some credit cards. I fumbled to pick one out thinking; I’ll give him some money. I won’t even get a volunteer. They are all busy talking with others. Usually we don’t give money to people. We take them to get something to eat.
I took the money out. David pushed his finger in front of me. He said, “I don’t want your money. I want this Jesus, the One you were talking about, because I’m not going to make it. I’m going to die on the street.”
I completely forgot about David, and I started to weep for myself. I was going to give a couple of dollars to someone God had sent to me. See how easy it is? I could make the excuse I was tired. There is no excuse. I was not seeing him the way God sees him. I was not feeling what God feels.
But oh, did that change! David just stood there. He didn’t know what was happening. I pleaded with God, “God, forgive me! Forgive me! Please forgive me. I am so sorry to represent You this way. I’m so sorry. Here I am with my message and my points, and You send somebody and I am not ready for it. Oh, God!”
Something came over me. Suddenly I started to weep deeper, and David began to weep. He fell against my chest as I was sitting there. He fell against my white shirt and tie, and I put my arms around him, and there we wept on each other. The smell of His person became a beautiful aroma. Here is what I thought the Lord made real to me: If you don’t love this smell, I can’t use you, because this is why I called you where you are. This is what you are about. You are about this smell.
Christ changed David’s life. He started memorizing portions of Scripture that were incredible. We got him a place to live. We hired him in the church to do maintenance, and we got his teeth fixed. He was a handsome man when he came out of the hospital. They detoxed him in 6 days. He spent that Thanksgiving at my house. He also spent Christmas at my house. When we were exchanging presents, he pulled out a little thing and he said, “This is for you.” It was a little white hanky. It was the only thing he could afford.
A year later David got up and talked about his conversion to Christ. The minute he took the mic and began to speak, I said, “The man is a preacher.” This past Easter we ordained David. He is an associate minister of a church over in New Jersey. And I was so close to saying, “Here, take this; I’m a busy preacher.”
It doesn't matter where you come from, or your lot in life. Your family status, your social status. Wether you have no money, or your family is considered to have a lot of money.
If you come seeking Jesus, you can turn your life around! And He will Reward you in the process!
Make it a point to seek Him early and often everyday in your walk, be willing to follow where He leads you and you will be amazed where you end up each and every day!
If you don't know this Amazing JESUS I've been talking about this morning?
I encourage you to come now and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour!
I'm not talking about knowing about Him, I'm talking about knowing Him personally!
Let's pray!
Sent from my iPad
