I recently wrote a Bible Study which examines
the reactions of Jesus’ followers as they discovered that He had risen from the
dead on Easter morning. My writing is
nothing special. It lists the instances
of Jesus’ appearance to His followers and considers their response. You would think that Jesus’ friends and disciples
would have leaped with joy at the good news that He had risen from the dead. But, their initial reactions are fear, doubt,
denial, and guilt. Somehow, the fact
that Jesus had risen seemed too good to be true!
I’ll give you a chance to study these
reactions for yourself if you want. Take
out your Bible and look at the fear
of the women when they found the empty tomb in Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, or
Luke 24:1-11. Consider Mary Magdalene’s despair in John 20:1-18, despair which
caused her not even to recognize Jesus when He appeared to her. Read and think about the spiritual blindness of the two disciples walking to Emmaus in Luke
24:13-34. Meditate on the fact that, on
Easter night, the 10 disciples were so afraid
that they locked the doors (John 20:19-23), and that Thomas’ heart was so
broken he held fast to his doubt and unbelief (John 20:24-30). Do you recognize in yourself the guilt which Peter exhibits in John
21:1-18? And, how could the disciples
have been so dense that in Matthew
28:16, that they still doubted? How in Acts 1:3-7, as Jesus prepares to ascend
into heaven, could the disciples ask a question which seems to have totally
missed the purpose of Jesus’ ministry?
There are various ways to respond to the
disappointing reactions of Jesus’ disciples and friends to His resurrection. We can react with disgust at their
weakness. Or . . . we can be honest with ourselves about our own
weakness and failure, our own doubt, our own fear and guilt. Admitting our sin, we can find encouragement
that we are not the only ones with feet of clay. We also often fail to follow Jesus with faith,
with love. and with wisdom. But, even
that first Easter, in the face of the greatest good news that our world has
ever seen, almost without fail, the disciples missed Jesus’ victory!
Perhaps a personal story can
illustrate how God’s people can fumble the good news. In 1976 I was a first-year seminary student who
was taking a class in Evangelism, and was participating in a teaching retreat
on evangelism. Students were trained,
paired up, and sent to visit folks who had visited Epiphany Lutheran Church in
St. Louis. A key to this effort was
actually a ‘trick’ question: “If you died tonight are you sure you would go to heaven?” I’ve now learned I don’t like trick
questions. But, as a seminary student I
knew what Scripture teaches “that a man is justified by faith
apart from observing the law.” (Romans 3:28)
Yet, as I examined my own heart, even though I knew that Bible verse and
Scriptural truth, I could not say that I was SURE I would be in heaven. I had doubts.
I personally learned that, even in the face of God’s grace in Jesus, I
trusted my sin more than I trusted Jesus’ dying and rising for me. Considering our own failures, maybe we
shouldn’t be surprised at the reaction of Jesus’ disciples and friends!
However, the even better news is that Jesus knew
His followers’ weaknesses and He still continued to love them and to care for
them, to forgive and to encourage His wavering followers. In spite of their failure
of faith, Jesus spoke personally to Mary’s despair, to Thomas’ doubt, and to
Peter’s guilt. In addition, Jesus still
had important kingdom work for these weak human beings. He sends the women to inform the apostles of
His resurrection. Jesus tells Peter to
take care of His sheep and lambs. Jesus
still calls Peter to follow Him. And, in
all four Gospels and the book of Acts, Jesus sends these men and women to bring
this good news into the whole world.
Jesus gives the most important task this world ever received to weak and
sinful humans.
Time and again as pastor, when I
have asked church members to do work of service and faith for our Lord and His
church, I have often received the reply from the person I am asking that they
are not strong enough, they are not smart enough, not holy enough to do the
job. The truth is we all fall
short. But, the Lord who sent His
disciples and went with them into the whole world is with us. Remember, after His resurrection Jesus told
them, 18. . . "All authority in heaven and
on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything
I have commanded you. And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) Because Jesus has risen He has
authority over ALL things. In that
authority Jesus calls and sends his followers.
As we go teaching and baptizing and making disciples, Jesus is with us
at ALL times. We weak sinners can face
all the challenges of faith God gives us.
The words of our victorious, risen Savior to His disciples are also true
for us. “I am with you always, to the very end of the
age."
Where do you
feel inadequate or too sinful to answer the call of Jesus? Remember, the disciples stumbled, even on
that first glorious Easter. The victory
belongs to Jesus. He is with us and He gives
strength, grace and truth.
A Child of God, Thankful That Jesus Still
Loves and Calls Weak and Sinful People, Like Me!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. The Florida
Rockeys gathered for Easter, though my brother, David, was sick, and my brother
James, and his wife, Martha, tested positive on Thursday for COVID-19. Here are some Florida Rockey Easter 2022
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/94SBuonaMsfHhRbT6
P.P.S. I did fish twice.
·
On Saturday, April 16,
I went fishing by myself at the Rodman Reservoir. However, when I arrived at 6:45 a.m., there
were many lights. I discovered a “Save
the Rodman Fishing Tournament!” I’m told
110 boats participated. I moved to a
lesser boat ramp, but there were still LOTS of boats and competition. No fish, but I missed one BIG bite. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/JphEYbpczzSabYrj7
·
On Monday, April 19, I
went fishing at Rodman Reservoir, without the tournament. I caught 3 small bass, which Kathy and I ate
for supper. In addition, I saw much
wildlife. Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/WpRyivNFr4ZBAwHfA
*****
ABOUT
THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as senior
pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly
devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."
When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions. So I
have continued writing. However, with life's changes I now call this
weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God." Since
I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send
this message to those who asked to receive it. (Though I am now serving
again part-time at St. John as assistant to the pastor.)
So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you
understand. And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish
to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my
distribution list. My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
My
prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our
Lord, Jesus.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
“1 John 3:1 How great is the love the
Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that
is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a)
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