Fast End - Easter
Sunday, April 12, 2009
HE IS RISEN!
Luke 24:1-9 ESV
1) But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. (2) And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, (3) but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. (5) And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? (6) He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, (7) that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." (8) And they remembered his words, (9) and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Praise God for His plan, that we worship a God that LIVES, that rose from the grave and conquered death!
At first, not all believed, or they hesitated to embrace their belief, having doubts. Even one of the apostles, Thomas, is now famous for being a doubter.
John 20:24-25 ESV
24) Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. (25) So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."
“Never.” Thomas used a pretty strong absolute there. I would say that borders not on doubt or skepticism, but leans toward DISbelief. (And the ESV says that Jesus told Thomas “Do not disbelieve, but believe.” The NASB says “do not be unbelieving, but believing” and the KJV says, “and be not faithless, but believing.” It seems Thomas was leaning towards rejecting Jesus as the Christ, believing Him dead and gone. Jesus’ words affirm this.
Yet a whole week went by before Thomas got to see the Lord. I wonder what he endured and what thoughts he wrestled with that week, while other sightings of Jesus were reported?
John 20:26-29 ESV
26) Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." (27) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." (28) Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" (29) Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Praise You, Jesus Christ, You are My Lord AND My God. I am truly blessed by the faith You have given me. For without You, Holy Spirit, I would not believe. Jesus is alive. I know He lives. I believe He lives.
Today’s I offer a song by The Brothers of the Empty Tomb called “Celebrate.” It’s a live recording from May of 2006, and not the greatest mix, but I dig this song and their version. I wish you could see them perform it live today. Fantastic. Glorifying of God.
CELEBRATE
By The BET
I know He lives, I believe He lives.
I’m sure He lives, I’m sure He lives.
I know He lives, the Savior He lives.
It’s time to celebrate The Savior and His worth.
Let’s shout because we know He lives and we are certain.
His love has set us free, our enemy’s defeated.
If with me you agree, come on and lift up your hands.
Everybody lift your hands if you know that Jesus is worthy.
Open up and give Him praise, let’s do it in a hurry.
If you love Him let’s glorify Him in the song and in the dance.
We know the Savior lives, come on and lift up your hands.
Now understand just why we praise Him,
lemme tell you how it all went down.
The news spread so very fast,
people came from miles around.
And this would be the day Christ would be crucified
He took His last breath, He hung His head and He died.
They took my Savior down from off that rugged cross.
They laid Him in a tomb, it seemed all hope was truly lost.
But the third day came along and brought the rhythm of life.
The stone was rolled away, an angel proudly proclaimed:
He lives, He lives, He lives, Christ is risen!
Christ is risen just like He said. Our Lord and Savior’s no longer dead.
Rejoice and celebrate, He lives, He lives, Jesus is alive!
Everybody lift your hands if you know that Jesus is worthy.
Open up and give Him praise, let’s sing it in a hurry.
If you love Him let’s glorify Him in the song and in the dance.
We know the Savior lives, come on and lift up your hands.
He lives, He lives, He lives, Christ is risen!
Christ is risen just like He said. Our Lord and Savior’s no longer dead.
Rejoice and celebrate, He lives, He lives, Jesus is alive!
(repeat)
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31 ESV)
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25 ESV)
