Pastor Mike Richards finishes the series on the gospel of John with John 20:1-29; Have You Seen Jesus?
HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS?
The Olympics have been monopolizing the television broadcasts for the past 17 days and one name has been surfacing consistently.
And NO I am not referring to a certain swimmer - that is a topic for another time. Running events are the backbone to the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, the antics of a few have been overshadowing some really great athletic stories.
USAIN BOLT
Take for instance this individual — Usain Bolt, Donned with the title, “The World’s Fastest Man”
30 years old; standing 6’5” - 207lbs; Running for Jamaica
Literally stands out among all other talented sprinters.
His speed on the track has brought him 3 gold medals in the 100m, 3 gold medals in the 200m, 3 gold medals as part of the 4/100m relay in three consecutive olympic games.
As I watched the prelims for the 100m race in the Rio Olympics I could be nothing but impressed as this giant of a track athlete donned the track, came out from the back, takes control of the front of the race and even has time to glance to his left and right and flash a big smile as he once again proves he is the fastest man alive.
A LOT OF RUNNING
Mary ran from the tomb back to the disciples proclaiming - someone stole Jesus body
Peter and John ran to the tomb; John was faster, but Peter entered the tomb first - they leave dazed and confused.
Mary was right on their heels running back to the tomb.What unfolds next in the 20th chapter of John involves three separate personal encounters with Jesus which transformed the lives of those who engaged with him.
MY STORY
I have always had a spiritual sensitivity. As a young boy I was mezmurized by worship services in our traditional Lutheran church. I was in awe of the grandeur of the building, I loved the power of the music and was intrigued by the prayers and message of the pastor. For me there was always a sense of this “Holy Awe” of church.
As I entered my teen years a change took place in my Spiritual pursuit when my parents moved from the Lutheran church to a small country church with a Pastor who had recently graduated from Northwestern College in St. Paul. Again I was caught up in the worship, the music, prayers and message, but now there was something new, Pastor Jim actually intereacted with me. Through our discussions he would ask me questions that I had never considered before. One day while we were out for a walk in the Wisconsin countryside Jim asked me a question that changed my life. This question would move me from intrigue and interest to a new place. The question he asked pointed me to the answer to what had been missing in my religious experience.
"When did you come into a personal relationship with Jesus?"
When Pastor Jim asked me that question I didn’t know how to respond. How could I have attended church my entire life and not have had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ?
A personal encounter with the Risen Jesus WILL transform you!
MOURNING INTO JOY
Mary Magdalene
Who was this woman? There are many "legends" which have developed around Mary Magdalene. Prostitute... Whore... Wife of Jesus... Foremost disciple following the resurrection... Some say that she was a black woman who came from Magdale in Africa. Stories are told of her traveling to Ephesus or even as far as France.
Whatever may be assumed about Mary or Magdalene; the following CAN be known.
She was an important person in the Gospels.
She was afflicted Spiritually and Jesus took mercy on her. Luke 8:2 - Cured from 7 demons
She was one of the few who stayed with Jesus until his death Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; John 19:25
She followed to see where he would be buried - Matthew 27:61 Mark 15:47
The first one at the tomb - Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10
She was had a close and endearing relationship with the the disciples, Jesus' mother and even with Jesus Himself. John 20:1-18
Don’t Weep
The tears of grief blind. Arrives to see the tomb empty and her grief cannot be contained. It is in this moment, at her lowest point that she encounters the Risen Jesus and her mourning is turned into JOY.
Think of it, the first person Jesus spoke to after his resurrection was a woman who had been freed from Spiritual bondage. He had broken the power of sin and death and now he would break the grief that was blinding her.
What are you bound to that Jesus needs to release?
What seemingly hopeless situation is so consuming that your eyes are unable to see beyond the tears of your weeping in order to find Joy in the Risen Jesus?
The pain of fear binds
FEAR INTO PEACE
Peter, John and the Others' John 20:19-23
Look at where the disciples were - LOCKED in a ROOM; FILLED with FEAR. The had no idea what was coming next. They were marked in connection with someone that Rome had executed as an insurrectionist, and now his body was missing. The next knock on the door would be for them. Bound by fear of the Jews the disciples were waiting, cowering when Jesus ... APPEARS in their midst. Now there is something to really be afraid of.
What raises your fear factor?
There is no room that you will lock yourself into that can keep out the Risen Jesus. There is no fear that his resurrection cannot overcome. If death could not defeat him, what fear could you possibly have that he could not overcome.
Jesus enters their fear filled room and he unlocks the door from the inside!
Have Peace
Holy Spirit - Acts 2
Forgiveness of Sins
The questions of doubt restricts
DOUBT INTO BELIEF
Thomas John 20:24-29
Believe
Thomas
ANOTHER OLYMPIC STORY worth retelling… another qualifying race...
Unlike the sprint races of 100 and 200 meters, the 5,000 meter race is an endurance run. 3,000 meters into the women’s 5000 meter prelim race disaster strikes.
American Runner Abbey D’agostino accidentally clips the New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin causing a 3 runner pile up on the Rio Track. This is not an unfamiliar scene in track races, however what took place next was unique
While Hamblin is lying on the track as her olympic hopes are pulling away, D’agostino reaches down and helps her up and then encourages her to continue on.
Oddly enough, D’agostino was more injured than Hamblin and the roles reverse as Hamblin stops to encourage D’agostino to finish the race.
While there is more to this story, I can't help but think about how in my life several people helped me to not only enter, but continue on the spiritual race that I have been called into.
MY STORY CONTINUED
Jim was a fellow runner who stopped, reached out to me and helped me to have a personal encounter with the Risen Jesus which TRANSFORMED me. As I continued interact with Jim he challenged me to consider something... Becoming a Pastor... At the time I laughed at the thought. I had plans for my life. I loved music, singing, and composing. I wanted to become a star for Jesus... But my encounter with Jesus has led me to very different place than I originally imagined. Like Mary, Peter, John, Thomas and a list of others before me, a personal encounter with the Risen Jesus brings transformation. And is continuing to do so.
I mentioned that my life was forever changed after coming into a personal relationship with Jesus. Worship still impacts me, but now it actually moves me to change. I cannot remain the same.
Jesus Christ's resurrection is transforming me as I develop not a religion to adhere to, but a relationship with a God whose love went the extra mile for me.
Personal Encounters with the Risen Jesus BRING Transformation.
The people in John 20 are not special, they are ordinary people just like you and me.
They struggled with grief, fear and doubt.
But their personal encounter with the Risen Jesus brought transformation.
What about you?
All of us have struggles, weak spots and failures.
Have you had a personal encounter with the risen Jesus?
What transformation is God doing in your life because Jesus is Alive?
