Who is Afraid of an Empty Tomb

Matthew 27: 57-28:15

Easter Sunday was my turn to teach our Sunday School Class.  Since we are still Stay in Place because of the Covid - 19, I decided to blog the message I would have shared.

How open minded are you?  G. K. Chesterton once said that merely having an open mind is nothing for the object of opening the mind - as of opening the mouth - is to shut it again on something solid.  Whether it is an open mind or an open mouth, you don't want to leave it open, you want to bite down on something substantial.  Therefore I invite you to open your mind this morning, in order to chew on some substantial facts about an empty tomb and Jesus' resurrection.  The truth does matter.   As we look at the truth I challenge you to re-think your view of God and yourself!  There are four truths and I hope you wont be afraid of them!

First Truth: Jesus Was Dead and Buried, and Everyone Knew It.
If Easter Sunday is going to have any real meaning beyond bunnies and colored eggs. then we have to establish one preliminary fact; Jesus of Nazareth was definitely dead when He was taken down from the cross on that Friday afternoon.  How do we know this?  There were four witnesses that can testify to it.- The Romans soldiers who helped crucify Jesus, Governor Pilate because he wouldn't have let anyone take Jesus  off the cross unless he was dead, Joseph Arimathea who placed him in his tomb, and the two ladies who came to the tomb  had witnessed everything.

Second Truth: Powerful People Tried to Make Sure that Jesus Stayed Dead and Buried
Some were concerned that the disciples would steal Jesus body and claim that Jesus rose from the dead.  So Pilate gave permission to make the tomb as secure as possible.  They posted several soldiers to guard the tomb.  Four groups of people wanted Jesus to stay buried: the chief priest, the Pharisees, the Roman governor Pilate and the soldiers on guard.

Third Truth: Jesus Was No Longer Dead and Buried. . . because He had risen from the dead!
Despite all those measures to prevent it, Jesus' tomb is empty, He is alive.  It is tough to keep a good man down. How do we know Jesus is alive?  The women who witnesses everything about Jesus' death and burial.  They are now convinced Jesus  is alive: the large stone is rolled back and the tomb is now empty, an Angel of the Lord who appeared like lightning told them that Jesus had risen, they saw the place where Jesus had been laid and He was gone, Mary meets the Risen Jesus and talks to Him. 

Not only did Jesus resurrection fulfill HIs own prophecies but the Old Testament prophecies about being raised from the dead on the third day.

What is the point of this for us today?

Fourth Truth: Jesus' Resurrection Compels People to Decide Who Jesus is and How They Respond to Him.

What does the Resurrection mean to you?  Does the Resurrection cause you to fear?  The Resurrection changes everything !  Jesus has won victory over death.  God is going about the business of reconciling the world to himself through Christ Jesus.  Imagine the meeting between the women and the disciples, their emotions ranging from disbelief to fear to excitement.  The news changed their entire world.  Joy replaced sadness, and excitement overwhelmed the fear they faced when Jesus was crucified.   

Starting on December 28 2001 until June 25, 2003 I lost 6 family members, beginning with my dad, mom, uncle, aunt, nephew and our son.  What does Jesus' resurrection mean to me: all my love ones are experiencing God's Glory.  They haven't died, but completed their journey and now are with Jesus.   Jesus is alive, He has Risen indeed.  This is a life-altering world-changing news. 

Prayer:
Father of resurrection, fill  my heart with the promise and proof of your Son in my life.  Show me the opportunities I  have to give the gift of Jesus to another today; in Jesus; name, Amen.  

   

The Great House of God

“The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Great House of God
     If you have not read Max Lucado’s book: The Great House of God I recommend you read it. I want to share with you about God’s Living Room:
Come sit. In this easy chair. It was made especially for you.  Warm your hands by the fire that never fades. Look, all round are framed photos of you.  By your chair is a table with a scrapbook.  Hmmm, pick it up and open it.  Oh my it is a  scrapbook about your life.   As you look through the scrapbook you glance up at the mantle of the fireplace.  There is a painting.  Your Father treasures the portrait.  He placed it there for all to see.  It is of you and your Father.  Behind you is a great house on a hill.  Beneath your feet is a narrow path.  Down from the house the Father has run up the trail you have trudged.  You and your Father met here at the gate.  You can’t see your face because it is buried in the chest of your Father.  You are the prodigal child.  You apologize: Oh Father I have sinned and done wrong to you.  I am no longer worthy to be called a child of God.  Punish me, take my name off the mailbox, and my initials off the family tree.  I don’t deserve to sit at your table.
     Look at your Father’s face.  He has tears in His eyes, and a smile on His face.   Your Father is not willing to stop being your Father.   Your Father will never turn you away.   The door to the Living Room in God’s house is never closed.  
     When the words of others hurt you or you feel overwhelm or when you feel you have failed, step into the Living Room, look up at the painting and remember how much your Father loves you.   Call out Father, He is just waiting for you to call on Him.  It touches His heart when you call Him Father.
     Romans 8: 38-39 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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GOD”S PEACE

Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace That Passes Understanding

Does the enemy (The Devil) cause you to be all stirred up: feeling anxious and in a frenzy.  Maybe throws you into a tizzy.  When this happens we do things we later regret.  Then we are sorry we let the devil get to us again.

Has this ever happened to you?  We have help in Philippians 4; 7.  Paul writes, “ Then you will God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

This peace is superior above all other types of peace.  It transcends , outdoes, surpasses, excels, rises above, goes beyond and over the top of any other kind of peace.  You may look elsewhere, but there is no peace like the peace of God. It outshines all other peace causing it to stand in a category by itself.  There is nothing in the world that can compare with the peace of God.

Paul also tells us that this peace surpasses and excels above all understanding.  He tells us that this powerful peace produces in our lives: keeps our hearts and minds, it is a guard to control and monitor etching that tries to enter our hearts, minds, and emotions.  If God’s peace is ruling us, nothing can get past that Divine guard and slip into our hearts and minds without its approval!

This is the good news, we can refuse to allow the devil to access us, throw us into a state of panic and anxiety, or push our buttons any longer.  The devil can not enter our hearts or minds or play with our emotions!

Paul tells us God’s peace is like a band of Roman soldiers that keep dangerous nuisances from entering a city or breaking into special, private places.  God’s peace guards us from, fretfulness, anxiety, worry and all the other things the devil from breaking into our lives.  It protects, guards, keeps and defends us.  Nothing compares to this powerful peace.  God’s disables the devil’s ability to disturb us, or enter our minds and emotions.  In order for God’s peace to be a reality in our life, we let it dominate our hearts, minds, and emotions.

No Pecking Orders With Jesus

No Pecking Orders with Jesus

Love does not boast, it is not proud (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV). Jesus has no room for pecking orders. His solution to man-made caste systems? A change of direction. In a world of upward mobility, choose downward servility. “Regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 NASB). Jesus flip-flopped the pecking order.

Would you do what Jesus did? He swapped a spotless castle for a grimy stable. He exchanged the worship of angels for the company of killers. If you knew that only a few could care that you came, would you still come? If you knew that those you loved would laugh in your face, would you still care? The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier. Why? Because that’s what love does! He loves you that much! Drink deeply of God’s love for you--and ask him to fill your heart with a love worth giving! #UpWords with Max

I read this today.  It started me thinking about all Jesus has done for all of us, and still does.  I wonder how many of us take time to stop and think about what Jesus’ sacrifices actually mean for us today.  Do you know people who feel entitled and take God’s love for granted?  Actually I do!  At times I have been guilty of not remembering to be grateful for each day, and trust God, because He has the bigger picture and knows what I need, and to surrender.   When I think back over my life I realize that I was never alone, God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit was always surrounding me with their love.  Sometimes I think about writing a book to share all God has done on my journey of life.  Instead I blog and share my thoughts on my blog site. 

Today,June 25 is the Anniversary of our son Ron’s death.  He died 15 years ago.  There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t remember what a blessing he was and that we are so grateful for our memories and time God blessed us with his presence. .   We know we will be reunited one day and experience all of God’s glory.   We also are blessed with Chad & Kari, Jon & Lori, their children and grandchildren.  So blessed with many memories of all of them.    Everyday we express our gratitude to God for them.  Although they don’t live next door, and we  don’t see them everyday, I trust the Holy Spirit to protect, guide, equip and empower each of them.   Living in a broken world, we will encounter trials and tribulations, but put your faith in the only one who will never fail you,  who loves you unconditionally.

Remember God Loves you and so do I.

JESUS LOVED HIS DISCIPLES

Jesus Loved His Diciples
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13:1-5 NLT)

Jesus knew the future of the feet he was washing. These feet will not spend the next day following Jesus, or defending His cause.  They are going to dash for cover the minute the Roman soldiers arrive.  By morning they will bury their heads in shame as they look down at their feet in disgust. They will remember the one who bowed down on His knees and washed them. He told them you don't understand what I am doing, but you will understand later.

Jesus had forgiven their sin before they had committed it. He offered them mercy before they sought it.  Do you think Jesus found it hard to love His disciples.  One minute they are listening intently then the next they are arguing who is the best among them. How was Jesus able to love them?
How would you respond if Jesus, knowing everything you had ever done, knelt before you to wash your feet.  Certainly you would know you were loved and forgiven.

Do you want to be just like Jesus?  Then you have to study His heart of forgiveness, to understand what a means to be just like Him.  Want to be transformed into a loving person.  Then read 1 Cor. 13: 4-7.   Turn it into a prayer.  Substitute your name each time the word "love" is used.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB)
Then remember:  . . . Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. (John 13:1 NLT)
Remember God loves you and so do I.

PRAY TOGETHER

“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I was reading the Upper Room.  The title was; Pray Together.  It was by Iverson Emanuel Martinez (from Cortes, Honduras). The Scripture was Romans 12; 17-21.  The thought for the day: God can help me with my most difficult struggles.  As I read the Scripture and the devotional I knew instantly that my Father was speaking to me.

Iverson Emanuel was in prison and after 3yrs., his children came to visit.  Ashley his 8 yr., old daughter told her Papi that there was a boy at school who bothered her all the time. Sh asked Papi to please talk to him. Papi felt helpless and wasn’t sure how to respond.  He relied on what he had learned from reading God’s Word from the Upper Room.  He prayed for wisdom. He explained to Ashley that he couldn’t talk to her classmate or teachers, but they could pray together and ask God to help take care of the situation.  Three months later the children made another visit to the prison.  Papi asked Ashley how it was going with the boy who always bothered her at school.  Ashley said, “Do you remember when we prayed?  Everything is better.  He and I are best friends now.”

My Father was reminding me that His word needs to be deep in my heart and mind as we work through lives challenges.  That I draw courage, strength, wisdom and empowerment from my God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  Prayer is a direct line to my Father.  As a Prayer Warrior I can assure you the way to live is in FAITH and PRAYER.  Accept God’s love, grace and mercy.  Your Father will send you many blessings.  The Holy Spirit will help you live at peace with everyone.  Jesus tenderly speaks to our hearts.  By prayer ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to not miss any opportunity to hear Jesus speak to you about your life.
Remember God loves you and so do I.

A CHIDHOOD MEMORY

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A Childhood Memory

I read a Devotional by Glen Miller titled: More Cowbell,Please!  He explained how and why ranchers used cowbells.  It started me thinking about my childhood, growing up in Pawnee Okla.  

The downtown was built round the courthouse which was in the very center of the downtown area.  On Saturdays all the Ranchers and Farmers would come to town and park on the square.  It seemed my parents new most the people around Pawnee.  Mom was a telephone operator (no dial at this time) and Dad was a top notch mechanic.  My Grandpa Nuttle had his own Taxi Cab Service.  He had a phone and bench outside the pool hall.  It seemed like most everyone knew each other.

I know you have heard the cliché: It takes a Community to raise a child.  Not sure how it was for the other kids, but I knew that if I made a poor choice, someone would notify my parents so whatever I did would have consequences.  Knowing this helped me think before I acted.  

Churches in our community would take turns opening their doors after sporting events for the youth to gather for fellowship.  The Episcopal Church didn’t have young people or a choir. Some of the youth including me would attend their early church and sing.  They would then feed us breakfast and drop us off at our own churches.  

As a child I felt safe and loved, by this community.  I could walk to and from school without fear. I knew others were looking out for my safety.Times have changed.  Communities are not the same today.  Parents fear letting their children play outside unattended.

  Mr, Miller said that the cowbell is put on the lead cow because the other cows will follow the sound.  Also when storms came or danger threatened the members would run toward the sound to find strength in numbers, unity, protection.

 You are wondering what does a cowbell have to do with us today.  Mr. Miller reminds us that Jesus serves the same purpose as the cowbell.  When threatened, hurt, lost or frightened, He is the One we run to in order to find peace, shelter, protection, guidance and acceptance.  It is human nature to need to run to something bigger than ourselves.  Yes most of have a community of faith, family & friends, but Jesus is the only true source to place our lives.  He alone is our leader that can lead us safely home to the Father.

We are living in a broken world.  We will walk through dark valleys. Listen for the cowbell Jesus is ringing.  Run toward the solid sound and find safety.

Remember God loves you and so do I.