A Sunday School teacher was concerned what her children might be learning about Jesus and so she asked “Where is Jesus today?’ Johnny raised his hand and said “He is in heaven.” Mary stood up and said “He is in my heart.” On one end, Robert, was waving his hand furiously and said “I know! I Know! He is in our bathroom!” The teacher was completely at a loss and cautiously asked Robert how he knew this. Well, Robert said “every morning when my father gets up he bangs on the bathroom door and yells “Jesus Christ, are you still in there?”
Of course we know where Jesus is today but if all I share with you this morning is just about his resurrection in isolation of the cross and the Lord’s imminent return, I would be doing you a gross injustice.
First of all, Jesus had to die before he could rise again. Just outside the “Sheep gate” on the Northern side of the city of Jerusalem, is the place believed to be Calvary. Criminals were crucified there by the Roman Government. It was an extreme form of punishment meant to break the will of the people. But on a Friday afternoon in the Spring of AD 29, an innocent sinless man was crucified.
Pontius Pilate knew that very well when he sentenced Jesus. Jesus hung on the cross and was bleeding to death. Earlier, he was flogged and beaten repeatedly. A crown of thorns ripped through the skin on his head and great drops of blood rolled down his body. He was humiliated by being stripped of his clothing and counted along with the thieves. Those that passed by cried out “He saved others, now let him save himself if he is God.” Others laughed and spit at him. Death was slow but sure. It is believed that some strong men hung for a couple of days before they died. The Romans were so wicked that when day light faded, the bodies were burned alive to serve as lamps by night for those who used the busy road in front of them. Our Savior was beaten so badly that he did not last more than 3 hours
.
It is true Jesus died on a cruel and ugly cross. But the cross which was a symbol of shame, death and cruelty has become for us a symbol of power and strength. But death could not hold him and the grave could not keep him.
It seems pretty surprising that in spite of tight security around the tomb, the body of Jesus disappeared. The soldiers and the Chief Priests could not figure that out and presumed the body was stolen.
But what is more surprising is that believers themselves had problems. Mary Magdalene thought the body was stolen because she said “They have taken away my Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.” Peter and John who showed up a little later were also disappointed when they saw an empty tomb.
Like millions of people since then, I too went there about 25 years ago and guess what? All I saw was an empty tomb! And if you go today, you too will see only an empty tomb! The resurrection of Jesus is undeniable and the celebration of Easter is great but my focus this morning is to prepare you for what is to come.
The bible tells us that forty days after Jesus arose several people gathered at the Mt of Olives watched him go up into heaven in the clouds. Two Angels who stood by, looking at the surprised faces said,
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand here gazing up into heaven. This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so comeback again in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven”(Acts 1:9 cf) Since then many generations have come and gone. People have lived and died doing their own thing as many continue to do till this day. I hope you are different. I hope you have been watching and waiting. In the first book of Thessalonians ch. 4 vs.16 Paul says:
" For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then those who are living will be gathered up with those who died and together they will meet the Lord in the air."
I know this sounds wonderful and for sure it is but spending eternity with the Lord is not a game of musical chairs. We must first meet our Lord at the cross and surrender to his grace and authority. All of us are fallen sinners and without his precious blood we would be lost forever. Thank God for the blood of Jesus. Oh, the blood of Jesus, Oh, the blood of Jesus that washes white as snow.
Scripture tells us to draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Each day we must learn to draw near and live in his presence. In everything you do, include Jesus to be a part of it. If you put him first, he will put you first. We must be willing to lose our life before we find it. Jesus said, whoever loves father or mother or a husband or wife more than me is not worthy of me. As Paul said
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ who lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith.”
How many of us can boldly say that? By his stripes we are healed and through his shed blood we have an eternal hope. There is power in the blood. There is victory in the blood and there is life in the blood. It is the cross that has made it possible for us to participate in the resurrection to eternal life so let us rend your hearts and not our garments and turn to God. May his blood be upon the doorposts of our souls to protect us and bless us with both new and everlasting life. There is no greater love than when a man lays down his life for his friends. And we are even more than his friend; we are his beloved children and heirs to his eternal throne. No matter where you are in your walk of faith, never forget that our God is slow to anger and plentiful of mercy. His grace is greater than our sin.
We read that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perishing but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God. And in my foolishness today, I hope someone here this morning will give their heart to Jesus. May be you are saying “well, you do not know my life – I am not worthy, I am soaking in sin.” It is true my friend, I may not know, but know this, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The price has been paid and we have been set free. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed! The wages of sin may be death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus!
Friend, if you are not right with the Lord, do not wait for tomorrow. Confess your sins and receive him now into your heart as your Lord and Savior. He promises that “he or she who comes to me I will in no wise cast out.” The same one said, “in my fathers house are many mansions and I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go to prepare a place for you I will come back to get you; so that where I am you may be also.”
We are told our Lord will come like a thief in the night when we least expect him. Scripture tells us that two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill, one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. I am not here to judge anyone but let me ask – will you be the one taken or would you be the one who is left?
It might surprise you, but if you ever have the opportunity to visit Israel take time to visit some of the cemeteries. No matter which part of the country you visit, (north, south, east or west) you will find that every grave faces Jerusalem because that is where Jesus is expected to return. Since Jesus arose from the Mount of Olives and said to some “tarry here till I come” tradition says that he will come back to the same spot once again. So what am I saying? I am saying that even though their eyes are closed they are waiting and longing to see the Lord come and take them home. As opposed to that, our eyes are wide open but the truth is not all are waiting for the return of the Lord. Many are too busy trying to make it in this life and take no thought or time for the saving of their soul.
Or epistle reading for today says (Col 3:1-4): "If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory."
Yet there are some who will never change. They cling to the world and not the cross. But, like it or not, soon and very soon, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The Lord took our shame and our guilt and like a lamb was led to the slaughter and crucified upon the cross. By his shed blood we have an eternal hope and by his stripes we are healed. So instead of listening to the voice of the one who comes as a roaring lion to steal, kill and destroy, we must train our ears to listen to the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit who is with us and in us.
I hope this does not surprise you, but whether we are good or bad all of us will rise again from the dead. But from there is a subtle difference. Only some will enter into his eternal rest while others will reap what they have sown. Bottom line, at the end of your life, what is going to matter is whether or not your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Lent as you know is a 40 day season of preparation which ends today with Easter. It is time in which we pray, repent and do many things to seek and draw nearer to the Lord. I hope you did all of that and ready to take your relationship with the Lord to the next level. For those who are still struggling, what better and appropriate time is there than to receive him into your heart today.
With every eye closed and head bowed join me please as we pray the sinner’s prayer. Dear Lord Jesus …..
