His Song for us to Sing
Luke 24:1-12
Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567
The songs that we sing often speak volumes about our character. Music is powerful for the melody and words not only pull at our emotions but can transport us back in time to experience both good and bad memories. When I hear some of the songs of my youth such as Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight,” Foreigner’s “I Want to Know what Love is,” Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven,” or Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger;” I can’t help but relive the emotions of times when I experienced injustice, breakups, deaths in my family and the difficult times that required shear grit to survive! And then there are those songs such as Josh Groban’s “You Raise me Up,” Queen’s “We are the Champions,” Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” or Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World;” which remind me of God’s loving tender kindness, my potential, my obligation to thank God for the beauty of creation and my responsibility to be compassionate towards others. The songs we love speak volumes as to how we view ourselves in relation to this world and God’s kingdom. The following sermon is going to review the resurrection of Christ and in doing so invite you to think about what kind of “life song” you are currently singing!
Big Fish and Fishers of Men
Ever wonder what it must have been like to be Peter? Before being called into ministry Peter had joined the family, fishing business with Andrew, James and John (Mark 1:21, 29; Luke 5:10)? After having heard John the Baptist’s testimony that Jesus was the “Lamb of God” (John 1:35-40), in an incredible act of faith both he and Andrew dropped their nets to “fish for people” (Matthew 4:20). This “fishing expedition” was not accomplished through mere words but with the demonstration of Jesus’ sovereignty over all things seen and unseen (Colossians 1:16). Imagine what it would have been like to witness Jesus change water into wine (John 2:1-11), curing the blind (Matthew 9:27-31; Mark 8:22-26; John 11:1-38; Matthew 20:30-34), casting out demons (Mark 1:30, 31; Matthew 8:28-34; Matthew 12:22; Matthew 17:14-21), enabling Peter to walk on water in a storm (Matthew 14:22-36), and the raising of the Widow’s son and Lazarus from the dead (Luke 7:11-18; John 11:1-46)! Not only was Peter told that he would fish for men with the same miraculous wonders as Jesus did (John 14:12-14) but would one day become the rock and future leader of the early church (Matthew 16:17-20)! I can’t help but think that Peter would have loved the song “I Can do all Things.”
Jesus’ Prediction of His Death and Resurrection
Even though Peter was more than glad to give up everything to listen to Jesus’ teachings, watch and participate in miraculous signs; both he and the other disciples were uncertain and maybe even a little terrified of the thought of His death and resurrection. The first time Jesus made these predictions was right after Peter had declared Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” and was offered the keys to the kingdom of God. When Jesus told the apostles, He would soon go to Jerusalem, be killed and raised from the dead Peter rebuked Jesus who in response said “get behind me Satan” (Matthew 16:13-28). The second time Jesus made these predictions was right after Jesus had healed a demon possessed boy. This time the apostles did not understand or grasp what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask Him (Luke 9:37-50)! The final time Jesus made these predictions was right after His teaching on the rich ruler. Jesus sat the disciples down and despite clearly telling them of His death and resurrection they still did not understand or grasp what He was talking about (Luke 18:18-34). Maybe the apostles were like this man imitating an ostrich with its head stuck in the sand! Before Jesus gave enough proof of His resurrection the disciples could and would not have accepted Jennie E. Hussey’s song “Lead me to Calvary.”
Burial of Jesus
The arrest and death of Jesus were so terrifying that even the disciples fled from His presence. When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane Scripture states that all the disciples deserted Him (Matthew 26:56). It is only when Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin that Peter courageously returned to the courtyard to only moments later deny ever having known Him three times (Matthew 26:57-75). Even Jesus’ mother, the other women and the disciple Jesus loved stood “near” or at a “distance” from the cross (John 19:25-27; Matthew 27:55-56). The moment Jesus gave up His spirit, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, the earth shook and the tombs broke open; those guarding Jesus became terrified and “exclaimed surely he was the Son of God” (verses 51-54)! One of Jesus’ disciples Joseph placed the body of Jesus in his “own new tomb” and Pilate ordered that it be secured and guarded so that no one could steal the body and claim that He had risen from the dead (verses 57-65). So devastated were the disciples that their Master’s body lied in a grave that it would take three long, excruciatingly painful days before Jesus’ followers would accept and sing Daniel Thornton’s song “Up From the Grave He Arose.”
Resurrection of Christ
Imagine for a moment that you have arrived Easter morning at the tomb of Jesus. The first thing you notice that is odd is that the guards are not present at the tomb. You cannot imagine for a moment any Roman guard defying Pilate’s order to keep the tomb secure (Matthew 27:62-66) for failure to do so would have meant his instant execution! This had been a strange morning for earlier there was a violent earthquake. As you approach the tomb you also notice that the stone that sealed the tomb had been rolled away (28:2). You cautiously approach the tomb and look inside only to find linen and no body present (John 20:6). Would you be skeptical that He was indeed alive? It is easy for our faith to become tinier than a mustard seed or completely buried in a sea of skepticism. What would it take for you to believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Let’s look at the evidence that was necessary to convince the women who ministered unto Jesus, Peter and the other apostles to believe in His resurrection.
Women. It was still dark Sunday morning (John 20:1) when Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James (Mark 16:1) embarked on their journey to Jesus’ tomb. During their journey they debated with each other as to how they were going to move the heavy stone (Mark 16:3). With them they brought spices to anoint the dead body of Jesus. When they arrived they found the stone rolled away so they entered the tomb only to find the body of the Lord was gone (Luke 24:1-2)! “Suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening” appeared and asked them why they were looking for the “living among the dead” (24:4-5)? In the presence of these supernatural beings they bowed before them in respect and reverential awe. It was not until the angels remined them of Jesus’ resurrection teachings that their skepticism melted away and they believed. Blessed are those who in hearing of God’s gracious salvation plan of betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection believe and are adopted as His children!
Peter. After the women left the tomb they went and told the eleven disciples about their experience at the tomb. Despite their being numerous witnesses the disciples viewed their testimony with skepticism and unbelief. Peter and John however ran to the tomb and saw the strips of linen and cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head … but no body (John 20:3-10). While there is some evidence that John believed in the resurrection (stated in his own words), he still did not fully understand the significance of the resurrection (John 20:8-9). This visit to the empty tomb, however, only produced the “first steps of faith” in Peter for he left the tomb that day puzzled and wondering what had happened to Jesus (Luke 24:12; John 20:10). Blessed are those who in hearing of God’s word are not so skeptical that they don’t want to hear more of the truth that will set them free!
Eleven Disciples. Even though they witnessed the raising of the Widow’s son and Lazarus from the dead and heard the testimony of the three women, the disciples were still skeptical of Jesus’ resurrection. One day when the eleven apostles were meeting together two of Jesus’ disciples burst in and told them of the story of how on their trip to Emmaus Jesus had broken bread with them and they recognized Him (Luke 24:13-35). As the disciples were discussing this new revelation Jesus appeared amongst them and said, “peace be with you” (24:36). They were not only startled but frightened for they thought they were seeing a ghost (24:37). In response to their unbelief Jesus showed them His hands and feet and ate a piece of broiled fish (24:40-43) but it was not until Jesus opened their minds (24:45) that they understood how His life, death and resurrection was not only real but the fulfillment of Scriptures (24:44). Jesus finished by telling them that the disciples that they were the witnesses of His passion and as such once “clothed with power on high” (24:49) they would spread His atonement truth to the world!
Our Life Song
In conclusion I invite you to take a figurative journey to Jesus’ tomb. You will not find the Living amongst the dead but what you will find is an opportunity to sing a new song! Like the disciples, despite having ample evidence of the sovereign power of Christ, modern day Christians tend to be skeptical not so much in His atoning sacrifice but in His ways being higher and better than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9)! As you enter the tomb realize the great opportunity in front of you to confess and bury your sin and skepticism in a tomb of the dead where they belong! Like the disciples allow the Holy Spirit to reveal and empower you to obey and see God’s word no longer as a burden but as instruction on how to please a holy and loving God. Since songs speak volumes as to how we view ourselves in relation to this world and God’s kingdom, as you leave the tomb let the love and assurance of God flood your soul with unspeakable joy of knowing that in Christ you are alive and as such have a beautiful life song to sing to the world:
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
T’was blind but now I see
Sources Cited
Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Peter, The Apostle,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988).
D. A. Carson, “The Gospels and Acts,” in NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message, ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015).
Darrell L. Bock, Luke, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), Lk 24:1.
Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997).
Robert H. Stein, Luke, vol. 24, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992).
Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988).
J. Ramsey Michaels, The Gospel of John, The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, UK: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010).
Craig A. Evans, Luke, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1990).
