WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.679 Wow, happy Easter, church. It's good to see you all. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:16.600 ! Would you turn with me back to Luke chapter 24. I'd like to read verses 36 through 49 today. 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:26.020 This is Luke's account of the risen Jesus revealing himself to the rest of his disciples on Easter Sunday. 00:00:27.400 --> 00:00:34.299 Luke chapter 24 verses 36 through 49. Let me pray for us and then I'll read. 00:00:34.420 --> 00:00:39.840 Father, we give you much praise this morning for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:50.460 Lord, thank you that the one who sits on the throne of the universe, who holds the keys of death, is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. 00:00:51.080 --> 00:00:57.859 Lord, we worship and praise you today and ask that as we come again to your word, you would speak powerfully to our hearts. 00:01:00.080 --> 00:01:01.800 We pray this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:01:01.800 --> 00:01:05.219 All right, Luke 24, 36 through 49. 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:11.640 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, peace to you. 00:01:12.700 --> 00:01:15.340 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:17.920 And he said to them, why are you troubled? 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:20.640 And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:24.219 See my hands and my feet that it is I myself. 00:01:25.019 --> 00:01:29.680 Touch me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. 00:01:30.539 --> 00:01:33.900 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:39.960 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, have you anything here to eat? 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:44.960 I gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate before them. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:50.540 Then he said to them, these are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, 00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:56.260 that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:02.800 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures and said to them, thus it is written that the Christ should suffer. 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:12.180 And on the third day rise from the dead and that repentance for the forgiveness of sin should be proclaimed in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:15.259 You are witnesses of these things. 00:02:15.639 --> 00:02:19.000 And behold, I am sending the promise of my father upon you. 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:24.000 But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:27.039 So what is Easter all about? 00:02:27.860 --> 00:02:30.460 And why is it at the heart of the Christian faith? 00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:34.659 Why is it at the very center of God's redeeming work in Jesus Christ? 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:38.479 And why did the early Christians say things like this? 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:42.620 They say, you know, if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:47.599 But if he has been raised, then nothing is in vain. 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:50.479 That's a pretty bold claim, isn't it? 00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:55.399 Then everything hinges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:02:56.539 --> 00:02:57.879 So what is Easter all about? 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:01.219 Well, this passage from Luke 24 tells us. 00:03:01.459 --> 00:03:03.899 It tells us what Easter is all about. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:11.239 And there are four things that were shown as Jesus comes to his disciples on that first Easter day. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:13.839 And I just want to look at each one this morning, each of the four of those. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:22.960 And each one has the power to fill our hearts with joy and with hope and with rejoicing on this Easter Sunday. 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:28.000 So first, first we see the reality of Jesus's resurrection here. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:29.620 This is verses 36 through 43. 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:34.800 Jesus really did rise bodily from the dead. 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:38.280 The risen Jesus comes among his disciples and says, peace to you. 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:43.360 Then Luke writes, they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:46.960 Okay, well, I think that's a pretty reasonable response. 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:48.000 Don't you? 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:49.900 I mean, think about it. 00:03:50.580 --> 00:03:55.759 After all, here is something that people in the first century believed. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:58.039 That sounds very modern to us. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:03.680 Everyone in the first century believed that dead people stay dead. 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:06.599 That was a very common belief in the first century. 00:04:06.900 --> 00:04:07.500 Just like us. 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:09.800 Dead people usually stay dead. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:10.860 Always stay dead. 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:14.080 Especially after crucifixion, which was a terrible way to die. 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:16.680 And also a very effective way to execute someone. 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:20.360 Especially after being in a tomb for a couple of days. 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:22.079 Those people stay dead. 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:27.519 So we don't want to think, we mustn't think that belief in the resurrection just sort of cropped up. 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:31.240 Because first century people were superstitious or pre-scientific. 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:33.900 They had seen Jesus killed and he was dead. 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:35.800 That was the end of the story. 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:39.079 But now here was Jesus in front of them. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:41.300 How would they account for it? 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:44.639 Okay, well, perhaps they thought it's an apparition. 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:45.340 It's a spirit. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:53.160 But notice how adamant Jesus is to demonstrate that he's before them bodily. 00:04:55.040 --> 00:05:00.300 This is not a spiritual experience that they're having. 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:03.400 It's not a group hallucination. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:06.420 He's there in his body. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:09.040 He says, see my hands and feet. 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:10.420 Touch me. 00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:12.639 I'm flesh and bones. 00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:17.300 And then he says, do you have anything to eat? 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:21.939 And he takes the broiled fish they hand to him and he eats it before them. 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:25.780 That's a wonderful kind of like earthy scene, isn't it? 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:30.139 It's so kind of earthy it has this like undeniable ring of truth to it. 00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:35.340 In other words, it's sort of hard to believe the disciples making up a story like this, you know? 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:40.460 I mean, if I were making up the story about someone conquering death and overcoming the grave, 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:43.620 I don't think I would sort of run the story like this, would you? 00:05:43.959 --> 00:05:45.139 There he stood in our midst. 00:05:45.979 --> 00:05:47.339 We were scared out of our minds. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:51.399 And then he showed us his hands and his feet, his flesh and his bones. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:55.659 And then, oh, then he ate some lunch with us. 00:05:56.399 --> 00:05:56.679 Right? 00:05:57.459 --> 00:05:59.719 I mean, talk about an anticlimax, right? 00:06:00.099 --> 00:06:01.139 What's going on here? 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:02.879 But here's the truth, friends. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:09.360 Jesus rose bodily from the dead. 00:06:11.159 --> 00:06:12.459 And here's what's interesting. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:21.860 You know, no matter how far you go back or how far down you go into the earliest Christian witnesses and documents that we have, 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:26.599 no matter how far down you analyze them with form criticism or source criticism, 00:06:26.599 --> 00:06:30.879 no matter how deep you go, this is the consistent message. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:41.079 That from the earliest days, from the earliest records, those Christians proclaimed that he had been raised. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:43.279 Not spiritually. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:46.240 Not mystically. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:47.839 Bodily. 00:06:49.419 --> 00:06:54.879 So early, so deep does that witness go in our historical records that there really isn't any time 00:06:55.120 --> 00:07:00.860 for this idea of Jesus' resurrection to be some sort of elaborate story that kind of grows over time. 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:02.699 Sort of like whisper down the lane. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:04.080 You know, did you ever play that as a kid? 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:04.580 Right? 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:05.900 You play, like, what do you call it? 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:07.560 Telephone or whisper down the alley or something. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:10.379 And someone says something like, you know, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:14.819 And then by the time it gets to the end, it's like, I wish I drove a pink Ferrari or something like that. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:15.020 Right? 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:15.819 You know? 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:24.399 Well, maybe, maybe if the earliest records we had were like 100 years later, maybe then we might think that the story kind of grew in the telling. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:30.279 But we have written records within decades or less of Jesus' death all saying the same thing. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:31.800 He's risen. 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:37.840 Now, there are lots of things we could say about the historicity of the resurrection. 00:07:38.020 --> 00:07:42.960 There are lots of reasons to give for its intellectual, historical, and philosophical credibility. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:45.580 You know, we could talk about the empty tomb. 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:50.900 We could talk about how other would-be messiahs in the first century were also killed by the Romans, 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:57.000 but who, not surprisingly, were immediately forgotten forever because, well, they died, they failed, 00:07:57.040 --> 00:07:58.920 and who would keep following a dead messiah, right? 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:05.360 But for some reason, Jesus, who was also killed by the Romans, was believed all the more to be the messiah. 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:08.920 How do you explain that historically? 00:08:10.520 --> 00:08:15.280 You know, we could talk about the trustworthiness of the apostles, about how they were willing to die, 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:20.520 proclaiming Jesus had been raised from the dead, when they didn't really have anything to gain, worldly speaking. 00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:23.319 Who would die for something you knew wasn't true, right? 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:29.240 There are lots of reasons, and you should explore them if you haven't. 00:08:30.099 --> 00:08:31.659 We're going to have a book table after the service. 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:36.819 You can grab a book from the book table and grapple with the reality and the meaning of the resurrection for yourself. 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:38.159 Don't take my word for it. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:40.580 Lots of reasons we could give. 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:41.179 But here's the thing. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:46.080 There's lots of reasons why you can and should believe in the reality of Jesus' resurrection. 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:54.560 But this is also something, deep down, you want to be true. 00:08:57.259 --> 00:09:02.379 You know, when you hear a beautiful symphony, when you look at a glorious mountain range, 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:06.300 when you look in the face of your child or your lover, 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:19.679 and when you see there something transcendent in the material, in the physical, 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:26.319 what the resurrection of Jesus Christ says is that it's real. 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:33.219 The stuff of this world isn't just a meaningless pile of matter. 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:40.879 God became flesh and rose again in a body to redeem it, to hallow it, 00:09:41.300 --> 00:09:45.379 to make it the avenue of lasting and everlasting joy. 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:49.740 So the beauty and the love and the transcendence that this world brings, 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:51.600 it's not an illusion. 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:53.460 It's not a passing fancy. 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:57.180 It's not merely biochemical responses in your brain. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:59.160 It's real. 00:09:59.159 --> 00:09:59.219 It's real. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:07.039 As real as the piece of fish that the risen Christ ate on the first Easter. 00:10:08.959 --> 00:10:11.459 What brings greater joy than a good meal, right? 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:16.659 And here's the risen Jesus, hallowing even a good meal. 00:10:18.439 --> 00:10:21.159 But we don't just see the reality of Jesus' resurrection here. 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:26.679 Jesus goes on in this passage and tells the disciples in us the meaning of his resurrection, right? 00:10:27.459 --> 00:10:28.159 What does it mean? 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:33.179 Well, we see this in the second point in verses 44 through 46 of our passage, 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:34.659 the meaning of Jesus' resurrection. 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:35.439 What does it mean? 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:44.500 Well, it means, ultimately, that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Messiah and Lord of all. 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:47.759 Let me read those verses again in verse 44. 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:49.219 Then Jesus said to them, 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:52.120 These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, 00:10:52.160 --> 00:10:57.180 that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 00:10:57.800 --> 00:11:00.340 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures and said to them, 00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:04.920 Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:33.399 And making and demonstrating a very startling claim that he was both Israel's Messiah, 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:39.680 their long-awaited king, and as such, he was the world's true and only Lord. 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:45.579 There's been some very interesting New Testament scholarship recently that has kind of unpacked that reality, 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:52.259 that in the Gospels what we see is Jesus making, in very Jewish, very first century kind of ways, 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:57.579 direct claims, not just a Messianic identity, but even divine identity. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:12:05.860 That the one God of Israel, the only true God, was now powerfully present in their midst in his own person. 00:12:06.920 --> 00:12:11.480 I'm thinking here of someone like Brant Petrie's work in a book like Jesus and Divine Christology, 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:15.500 where he's making this claim, Jesus is. 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:21.280 But, you know, making the claim is one thing, right? 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:24.180 Saying something is one thing. 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:33.819 But what the resurrection means is that all those claims that Jesus was making are valid. 00:12:35.359 --> 00:12:37.839 Paul puts it this way in the opening of his letter to the Romans. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:38.399 He says, 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:47.479 Jesus was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead. 00:12:48.219 --> 00:12:50.000 Jesus Christ, our Lord. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:54.460 And in the book of Acts, he says something very similar. 00:12:54.559 --> 00:13:01.720 In Athens, when Paul is amidst philosophers and thinkers, he says that God will be king and judge of all things. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:09.580 And that God has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:13.120 And of this he has given assurance to all. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:13.840 How? 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:16.899 By raising him from the dead. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:27.300 In other words, the resurrection of Jesus has established and proved Jesus' identity as the rightful Lord of the world. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:36.240 He is the one who has all authority to execute justice, to end evil, to set the world to rights. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:40.440 Even though he was misunderstood. 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:46.120 During his ministry, Jesus said he would be crucified. 00:13:46.680 --> 00:13:48.480 And on the third day, he would be raised. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.680 And that is exactly what happened. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.919 All his claims are true. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.779 He is the Lord. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:14:05.019 But as Jesus says here in Luke's gospel, it's not just what Jesus said and did. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:08.779 This is what God's word in scripture had said and Jesus did. 00:14:09.199 --> 00:14:14.459 Notice Jesus says everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:17.759 Those were the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible in Jesus' day. 00:14:17.959 --> 00:14:22.279 The law of Moses, the Torah, the prophets, and the Psalms are the writings, right? 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:27.159 In essence, Jesus is saying that the whole Bible is about me. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:34.339 Everything God revealed about himself, about his plan of redemption, about his glory and majesty. 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:36.819 All of that from Genesis to Malachi. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:42.220 From the flood of Noah to the exodus of Egypt to the kings of David to the exile and return. 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:45.480 It was all, Jesus says, talking about me. 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:50.299 The whole Bible is about the risen Lord Jesus. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:55.000 So what does the resurrection mean? 00:14:55.879 --> 00:15:00.480 Is it just sort of a weird thing that happened to some guy in the first century that we can't really explain? 00:15:01.699 --> 00:15:02.139 No. 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:08.199 The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that Jesus is Lord. 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:11.259 He's conquered death. 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.919 He's fulfilled the scriptures. 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:15.459 And he's made good on his claims. 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.079 He is Lord. 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:21.360 And we must bow before him. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:22.839 Repentance. 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.980 Repentance in the Bible. 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:29.579 It's a word that means something like changing your mind. 00:15:30.459 --> 00:15:37.459 A change of mind where we stop thinking that we are the rulers and the masters of our own destiny. 00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:40.779 And we surrender to Christ. 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.439 Who is. 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:47.900 And when you consider the resurrection of Jesus. 00:15:48.900 --> 00:15:52.420 And when you consider the person of Jesus and the character of Jesus. 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:56.000 Surrendering to him as Lord. 00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:59.320 Makes complete sense. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:04.660 You know, we want to make ourselves Lords, right? 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:12.259 But I mean, this afternoon, when you have some quiet time after the ham or whatever you're going to eat. 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:12.919 Right? 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.439 Take a good long look. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:17.000 Maybe you want to journal about this question. 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.779 And ask yourself. 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:21.220 Have I defeated death? 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:27.899 You know, when you did your quarterly review on Wednesday. 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.659 You know, April 1st. 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.379 Quarter's over. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:31.220 You've got to do your review. 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:33.199 You've got to revisit your long-term goals. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:36.620 Was conquering the power of death on your list? 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:39.579 To crush before 2026 ends? 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.039 Right? 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.039 No. 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:45.579 Only one has gone down into death. 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:48.539 Defanged our greatest enemy and rose again. 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.980 Jesus Christ. 00:16:52.219 --> 00:16:54.019 Will you find a better Lord than that? 00:16:56.339 --> 00:16:57.319 But look. 00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:02.539 Who else would you want as your Lord and King? 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.940 As Jesus sits among his disciples. 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:08.299 Sharing a meal with them. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.859 What does he do? 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:12.579 He quells their fears. 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.719 He speaks peace to them. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:19.240 Peace to you, he says. 00:17:19.979 --> 00:17:22.859 Which, yes, was a Hebrew way of saying hello. 00:17:24.219 --> 00:17:29.359 But don't you think Jesus had a bit more resonance when he spoke into that room? 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:30.359 The word of shalom. 00:17:31.199 --> 00:17:31.879 Peace. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:33.959 Peace. 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:40.539 Peace to the very ones just days ago who had betrayed him and abandoned him. 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.500 And denied him. 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:49.619 And he sits in their midst breaking bread with them and says, not forget you, but peace to you. 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:55.500 Who else would you want to be king of your life? 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:58.880 And that person who speaks peace. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.440 Peace. 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.619 This is the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:07.380 He is Lord and no other. 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:16.340 And that means we must turn from trusting in ourselves and trusting in our own kings that we make by our own power and surrendering to him. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:24.980 But third, we also see here in Luke 24, not just the meaning of his resurrection, that he is Lord, but also the result of his resurrection. 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.799 And we see this in verse 47. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:31.940 Right after showing us that his resurrection means that he is the Christ, he is the Lord. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:37.659 Jesus immediately shows us that his resurrection means that our sins can be forgiven. 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.980 Verse 46. 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:51.400 And he said to them, thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:54.660 Forgiveness. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:57.720 Forgiveness. 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:01.259 The older I get, nothing. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.259 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:07.700 Is more powerful or beautiful than forgiveness. 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:07.900 Forgiveness. 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:19.200 I mean, I know it's a little passe now, but you know, you think of that scene from Hamilton where Hamilton and his wife have moved uptown trying to do the unimaginable. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:20.720 Goodness. 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:23.120 I weep every time I see that scene. 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:26.600 Forgiveness. 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:34.640 And according to Jesus, all of scripture pointed to him in this way. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.080 Think about it. 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:43.580 In the law of Moses, the rock was struck and water poured out. 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:48.819 The Passover lamb was slain and the people escaped slavery. 00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:52.680 In the prophets, the return from exile is foretold. 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:52.920 Why? 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:58.180 Because a coming king would in a mysterious way bear the sins of his people. 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:03.360 And in the Psalms, we hear the cry, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:08.479 But we also hear, you will not abandon my soul to the grave or let your Holy One see corruption. 00:20:10.219 --> 00:20:15.139 You see, the symphony of the Old Testament resonates with this recurring theme. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:19.919 That sinners will be reconciled at a great cost. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:24.480 And that cost will be borne by another. 00:20:25.800 --> 00:20:27.440 And who will bear it? 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.820 A lamb? 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.519 A servant? 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:31.740 A servant? 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.460 No, the king. 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.799 The king will. 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:39.039 God will bear the cost for his people. 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:45.299 He will divest himself of glory and stand in the place of sinners. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:52.899 And the offended one, God, will take the offense so that the offenders can be forgiven. 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:56.819 Do you see what happens at the cross, friend? 00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:59.619 The true rock was struck. 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:01.419 And the true lamb was slain. 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:05.240 And the true king cried out, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.639 What was happening there? 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:09.579 An innocent one was condemned as a criminal. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.099 Why? 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:12.559 Because he stood there in our place. 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:16.639 The judge of all was judged for you. 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:25.839 But in the resurrection, in the resurrection, a new verdict is cast. 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:30.339 If at the cross Jesus was condemned in the resurrection, he was what? 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:34.279 Vindicated, justified, pronounced innocent by God himself. 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:37.940 But that new verdict wasn't just over Jesus. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:43.519 Because if he died for us, then he also rose for us. 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:48.220 In his death, we see the depths of our sins. 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:54.799 But in his resurrection, we see our forgiveness and our healing and our acceptance in all its beauty. 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:59.420 That's why the risen Jesus stands among his disciples and says, peace to you. 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.920 Peace to you. 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.500 Peace to you. 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.500 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.420 Peace to you. 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:03.420 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:03.420 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.039 Peace to you. 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.039 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.440 Peace to you. 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.160 Peace to you. 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.160 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:06.220 Peace to you. 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.220 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.380 Peace to you. 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:07.580 Peace to you. 00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:08.539 Peace to you. 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:08.539 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.940 Peace to you. 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:11.019 Peace to you. 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.019 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.019 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.019 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.019 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.019 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:14.019 Peace to you. 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.019 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.019 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.019 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.799 All nations. 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.220 All people. 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:21.720 It started in Jerusalem, but it didn't stop there. 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:30.319 This forgiveness, this reconciliation is for Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria. 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.000 It's for India. 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.480 It's for Ethiopia. 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.220 It's for Rome. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:36.539 It's for Shanghai. 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.799 It's for New Zealand. 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:39.799 And it's for New Haven. 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:44.359 The burden that you carry. 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:48.079 The shame and the guilt that you hide. 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.899 The failures. 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:51.079 The condemnation. 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:53.119 Jesus says, come to me. 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.240 Give it to me. 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.940 I've already borne it in the cross. 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:58.299 Come to me and find peace. 00:22:59.119 --> 00:22:59.819 Find forgiveness. 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.019 In his name. 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:05.240 The name of Jesus Christ the Lord. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.039 Your sins are forgiven. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.440 And friends, you know what that means. 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:14.139 If our sins are forgiven. 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:18.000 It means the new creation has begun. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:24.759 If anyone is in Christ, Paul says, there is a new creation. 00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:27.339 All your sins are wiped clean. 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.539 The old is gone. 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.599 The new has come. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:38.719 This is why Christians, when they really understand the resurrection, live such radically new lives. 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:44.000 Why can Christians be joyful and peaceful even in difficult circumstances? 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:49.119 Why do we see the apostles singing hymns in prison? 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:53.519 Why are they fearless in the face of oppression and persecution? 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:59.739 Why can Christians be unrelenting in their pursuit of justice when so many setbacks seem to come? 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:01.419 When the world looks so broken. 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.059 Why? 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:06.000 Because Christ has been raised. 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:08.739 Our sins are forgiven. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:11.419 And the new creation has burst upon the world. 00:24:11.699 --> 00:24:12.479 In our lives. 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.079 In our churches. 00:24:13.219 --> 00:24:14.879 And as we go forth in our communities. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:19.780 And that's what brings us to the fourth and last point of our passage. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.820 We've seen the reality. 00:24:21.060 --> 00:24:21.700 And the meaning. 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:23.720 And the result of Jesus' resurrection. 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:25.720 Last thing that Jesus shows us. 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.820 Is the mission of his resurrection. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.700 The mission. 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.640 This is verses 48 through 49. 00:24:30.760 --> 00:24:31.040 He says. 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:33.600 You are witnesses of these things. 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.200 And behold. 00:24:35.820 --> 00:24:38.780 I am sending the promise of my father upon you. 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:42.800 But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:45.359 And just a short time later. 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:47.480 The risen Jesus would ascend to the father. 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:50.139 And enthroned at the father's right hand. 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:52.379 Jesus would send the promised Holy Spirit. 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:57.240 And the Holy Spirit would empower the followers of Jesus to be his witnesses. 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:59.879 And by any measure. 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:05.419 Those disciples literally changed the world. 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:08.720 You know. 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:11.019 I think one of the greatest challenges facing people today. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.900 Is boredom. 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.279 Yeah. 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:17.100 We're drowning in entertainment. 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:20.180 But we are bored to death. 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:24.340 The ancient spiritual writers used to call this. 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:25.759 Sloth. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:28.680 Which on the surface means laziness. 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:30.340 But at its heart. 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.240 Is the unbelief. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.960 That humans. 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.960 Really are creative in God's image. 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.799 And through the redemption of Christ. 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:40.000 And the indwelling of the spirit. 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.700 We are made witnesses. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.740 And agents. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.420 Of the risen Lord's new creation. 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.920 The disciples. 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:50.259 Huddled in that room. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.920 On Sunday evening. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:54.259 Were probably thinking. 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.860 It's all over. 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:57.819 At best. 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:58.759 At best. 00:25:58.879 --> 00:26:00.399 They'd go back to fishing in Galilee. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.219 At worst. 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.399 The authorities would find them. 00:26:03.439 --> 00:26:04.019 And arrest them. 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:04.500 Or worse. 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:06.819 Ah. 00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:09.500 But little did they know. 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.919 What God. 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.359 Had in store for them. 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.299 Those. 00:26:14.719 --> 00:26:15.399 Disciples. 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.219 Would turn. 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.240 The world. 00:26:18.479 --> 00:26:19.479 Upside down. 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:23.839 As followers of the risen Christ. 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:25.039 Filled with his spirit. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.639 They would lay aside their fear. 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:28.099 And their sloth. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.500 And they would pray. 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.019 Play. 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.720 Their great part. 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.779 In the drama. 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.500 Of redemption. 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:37.019 They would follow Christ. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.440 To the ends of the earth. 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:40.960 And they would scheme schemes. 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:43.000 And they would dream dreams. 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.759 As big. 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.299 As the kingdom of God. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.440 And as wide. 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.680 As the glory of his name. 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.920 And what fueled them. 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:53.560 What took them. 00:26:53.560 --> 00:26:54.620 Through shipwrecks. 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.279 And arrests. 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.060 And famine. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:56.860 And nakedness. 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.340 And sword. 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.320 What was it. 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:59.300 That built communities. 00:26:59.300 --> 00:26:59.940 Of faith. 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:00.720 And hope. 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.460 And love. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.039 That endured. 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.380 Even when the Roman Empire. 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.360 Crumbled to dust. 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:06.580 And even when successive regimes. 00:27:06.580 --> 00:27:07.320 Throughout history. 00:27:07.320 --> 00:27:09.120 Have tried to stamp them out. 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:11.019 What was it. 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:12.320 That fueled their courage. 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.820 And comforted their hearts. 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.800 And fired their imaginations. 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:20.379 The resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:20.940 Our Lord. 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:24.220 He is not dead. 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:25.839 He is alive. 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.579 And you. 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:30.200 You are partakers. 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.759 And participants. 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.980 And witnesses of these things. 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:36.539 The old things. 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.319 Sin. 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:38.599 Death. 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.019 Condemnation. 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.220 They might look. 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:42.879 Like they have the last word. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.180 They might. 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.720 Puff their chest. 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:47.220 And rattle their sabers. 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.599 But the last word. 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.019 Friends. 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:52.339 Belongs to the risen Lord Jesus. 00:27:53.399 --> 00:27:53.879 He. 00:27:54.159 --> 00:27:55.240 Has disarmed. 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.159 The authorities. 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.720 And powers. 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:58.000 He holds the keys. 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.379 To death. 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.819 And Hades. 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.000 He's poured out. 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.519 His spirit. 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.500 Upon his church. 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:02.460 And the world. 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.759 Will never be the same. 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.879 So what dreams. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.299 Friend. 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.480 Are you dreaming. 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:11.039 For the glory of Christ. 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.659 What schemes. 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.680 Are you scheming. 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.259 What big. 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.539 Audacious prayers. 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.460 Are we praying. 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.840 Lay aside your fears. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.539 Let's lay aside. 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.220 Our sloth. 00:28:24.320 --> 00:28:25.120 Brothers and sisters. 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.259 We are witnesses. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.320 Of the risen Christ. 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.880 And he is risen indeed. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.720 Let's pray. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:36.140 Father. 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:37.059 Father glorify yourself. 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.460 In us. 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.980 Your people. 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.400 Christ. 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.759 Be magnified. 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.880 As risen Lord. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:43.279 In all that we say. 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:43.579 And do. 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.400 We rejoice. 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.799 And we praise you today. 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.940 As the one who has conquered death. 00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:49.460 Forgiven our sins. 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.019 And empowered us. 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.980 To be your witnesses. 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.319 And your agents. 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.319 Of this new creation. 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.259 That we inhabit. 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:56.839 Lord. 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.819 Extend your kingdom. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.539 Through us. 00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.079 In our day. 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.659 We pray. 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:01.500 That you might receive. 00:29:01.699 --> 00:29:02.319 All the praise. 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.240 Of which you are worthy. 00:29:03.919 --> 00:29:04.259 Amen. 00:29:05.159 --> 00:29:05.919 Amen friends.