Encountering The Risen Lord
Read John 20:19-31
Isn’t it amazing how quickly Easter Sunday comes and goes? Oh, Easter isn’t over, just the hoopla that surrounds Easter Sunday. In too many respects, the world doesn’t quite understand Easter. The crowds may be gone, but the story hasn’t been fully told. That’s the difficulty faced by the church. The crowds have not heard the whole story. It is no wonder there is so much confusion with regards to Easter. But there was also plenty of confusion that first Easter day.
Women went to the tomb and found it empty. The great stone was rolled away but no one saw who did it. Angels gave the message that Jesus had been raised. As night fell, the disciples were afraid. They locked the doors out of fear that those who killed Jesus might come after them. Just then, Jesus stood among them very much alive.
Perhaps that’s the number one problem so many people have at Easter. Perhaps so many come for the celebration but skip the rest of the story because they are afraid that they might really have an encounter with the risen Lord.
Truly, that’s not such a far-fetched idea. All through his ministry, Jesus said that if any would follow him, they must first take up their cross. Jesus expected his followers to bear fruit for the kingdom, love God, worship him, and live for the sake of their neighbor. For so many today, doing these things means a drastic change in the way life is lived.
Encountering Jesus means living on his terms, not ours. Encountering the risen Lord means we actually have to do something faithful. Meeting Jesus means acknowledging our sin and coming to repentance. It’s easy to see why so many do not want to hear the rest of the story. It’s easier to simply leave the empty tomb of Easter Sunday and get on with life on Monday. But tombs are meant for the dead, and Jesus is alive.
Jesus left behind what belongs in the tomb, the darkness of sin, death and the devil. The risen Christ brought with him light, life, and the peace of God. Ours is to share the entire story so that others may come to believe.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, empower me to do your will, and go where you lead. Amen.
Archive for April, 2021
Pastoral Devotion for April
Posted April 2, 2021 By adminFrom the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted April 1, 2021 By adminWhen the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. Mark 16:2
Writing this installment of my monthly letter to you, I cannot help but reflect upon our celebration of Easter 2020. Being somewhat naïve in our response to COVID-19 last year, we had hoped that after only three weeks of online worship only, the church would be filled with people on Easter Sunday. In hindsight, we certainly understand how wrong we were. Still, as Chris tians are called to do, we proclaimed the resurrection of Christ to the best of our ability for all to hear.
And now here we are about a year later. The COVID-19 pandemic is still a reality, but once more the church will proclaim the resurrection of our Lord to the best of our ability. For truly there is nothing that can defeat the power of the Risen Christ. So once more we hear the sweet refrain, “Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”
These are such wonderful words for a child of God to proclaim. Because Jesus offered his life as ransom for our sin, God has forgiven all who believe in him. And because Christ died and was raised to new life, the power of death is destroyed and all those who confess Jesus as Savior and Lord have the promise of eternal life. It’s no wonder that the sweet refrain “I know my Redeemer lives” is such sweet music to sooth our souls.
For over forty days, the Church has made its annual metaphoric Lenten pilgrimage to the city of Jerusalem where we are witnesses to the Passion of our Lord Jesus. His saving work is there for all to see. Lifted high on the cross bearing the weight of our disobedience, the victory over sin, death and the power of the devil is made sure. Still, even now, the events of Good Friday are difficult to bear for those who realize that it’s our sin that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. I can’t even begin to imagine the heartbreak and sorrow of those who witnessed it firsthand.
Mark’s account of the resurrection of Jesus seems to convey the gravity and power of the cross. Early in the morning, just as the sun breached the horizon, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome made their way to the tomb to finish the burial rite. Still reeling from the sight of Jesus’s death, theirs was a mission of duty according to Jewish custom. There is no doubt they loved Jesus; their devotion toward him was true. No amount of fear could keep them from completing that which was proper according to their law.
How would you feel if all of these things occurred before your eyes, and it was incumbent upon you to fulfill the duties of these women? Roman guards were on high alert. The temple authorities were tuned in to the activities of anyone who would claim to be a follower of Jesus, and the actions of his disciples would have most certainly been scrutinized closely. And when you finally make your way to the tomb…it is EMPTY!
Such were the circumstances for these women according to Mark. Fear had seized them and the thought of telling anyone seemed unlikely at best. Still, the angel’s words are clear and concise; “Go and tell the disciples and Peter.”
The good news of Jesus’ resurrection, as told to the women by the angel, was confirmation that God indeed has kept his promise to redeem that which was lost; to save his people from their sin and to reconcile all of creation unto the One who created the heavens and the earth. This good news of God’s salvation is still the sweetest refrain ever sung. As the psalmist writes, “The right hand of the Lord has triumphed!” People of God, the good news of Easter is the treasure God has entrusted unto you to share with the world around you. Christ has won the victory; through him sinners are forgiven and those who believe in him and are baptized into his death and resurrection will be saved. Do not be afraid to share this Easter joy. Take it to heart, proclaim it to those near and far. Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified is risen. And because he lives, we shall live also. Christ is risen; he is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
