Encountering the Risen Christ: Hope in Doubt and Grief
Summary
In today's sermon, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a cornerstone of our faith that affirms our belief in a living God. I shared the joy of Easter and the significance of the resurrection, not just as a historical event, but as a transformative experience that continues to impact lives today.
I began by expressing the excitement of our Easter celebrations, including the community's successful Easter egg hunt, which symbolized our outreach and mission to bring joy and the message of salvation to all. I emphasized the importance of fully engaging in the spiritual journey, not just attending church services, but actively participating and growing in understanding one's purpose in God.
The focus of the sermon was on the events described in the Gospel of John, particularly the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. I highlighted the story of Mary Magdalene, who was the first to encounter the risen Christ. Her profound grief and subsequent encounter with Jesus remind us that God is close to the brokenhearted and is always present, even when we are too pained to recognize Him.
I also spoke about the humorous aspects of the Gospel, such as John referring to himself as the disciple Jesus loved and the footrace to the empty tomb. These moments of levity in scripture remind us that God has a sense of humor and that the Bible is a living word, full of relatable and human experiences.
Furthermore, I discussed the appearances of Jesus to other individuals, such as doubting Thomas, who needed to see and touch Jesus' wounds to believe in the resurrection. This account teaches us that Jesus meets us where we are, even in our doubts, and provides the revelation we need to move from skepticism to faith.
The sermon concluded with a call to look for Jesus in our lives, especially in moments of pain and doubt. The resurrection story is not just about the event itself but about the heart of God, who continually reaches out to us with love and compassion.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection of Jesus is a testament to the living nature of God, who is actively involved in our lives. The joy of Easter is not confined to a single day but is a continuous source of hope and renewal for believers. [28:13
- God's proximity to the brokenhearted is a profound truth that offers comfort to those in pain. The story of Mary Magdalene reveals that our tears and heartaches are seen by Heaven, and in our deepest sorrow, we may encounter Christ in a way that transforms our understanding of His presence. [53:23
- Humor found in the scriptures, such as the playful descriptions in John's Gospel, invites us to read the Bible not as a rigid text but as a living word that reflects the full spectrum of human emotion, including joy and laughter. [48:03
- Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to individuals like Thomas show His willingness to meet us at our point of need. Even when we draw lines of doubt, Jesus crosses them to bring us the personal revelation necessary to strengthen our faith. [57:57
- The resurrection narrative extends beyond the empty tomb; it is about the ongoing, relational nature of God. Jesus' choice to appear to those who were grieving, doubting, or had failed, like Peter, underscores that our failures and doubts do not repel Jesus but rather draw Him closer to us. [01:00:23
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:1-18 - The Resurrection of Jesus and His appearance to Mary Magdalene.
2. John 20:24-29 - Jesus' appearance to Thomas.
3. Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Mary Magdalene's initial reaction when she found the empty tomb? How did she respond when she first saw Jesus? ([34:03])
2. How did John describe himself in his account of the resurrection, and what humorous detail did he include about the race to the tomb? ([35:22])
3. What was Thomas' condition for believing in the resurrection, and how did Jesus address his doubts? ([57:10])
4. According to the sermon, why is it significant that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection? ([50:01])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think John included humorous details in his account of the resurrection? How does this affect our understanding of the Bible as a living word? ([35:22])
2. What does Jesus' appearance to Thomas teach us about how He deals with our doubts and skepticism? ([57:10])
3. How does the story of Mary Magdalene illustrate the truth of Psalm 34:18? What does this tell us about God's character? ([53:23])
4. Why is it important to recognize that Jesus' resurrection appearances were to individuals who were grieving, doubting, or had failed? ([01:00:23])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt brokenhearted or in deep pain. How did you experience God's presence during that time? If you didn't, how can you be more open to recognizing His presence in future moments of sorrow? ([53:23])
2. Have you ever experienced doubt in your faith like Thomas? What steps can you take to seek the revelation you need to move from skepticism to faith? ([57:10])
3. How can you incorporate humor and joy into your reading of the Bible, as suggested by the humorous details in John's Gospel? ([35:22])
4. Think about a recent failure or mistake you made. How can you shift your perspective to see that Jesus is drawn to you even in your failures? ([01:00:23])
5. In what ways can you actively participate in your spiritual journey beyond just attending church services? What specific actions can you take to grow in understanding your purpose in God? ([32:45])
6. How can you be more intentional about looking for Jesus in your daily life, especially in moments of pain and doubt? ([54:03])
7. Identify someone in your life who might be experiencing doubt or grief. How can you reach out to them with the love and compassion of Christ this week? ([57:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Resurrection: Continuous Hope and Renewal
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a past event to be celebrated once a year; it is a living testament to the active involvement of God in the lives of believers. It serves as an enduring source of hope and renewal, a reminder that the divine presence is not confined to ancient history but is an ongoing reality. The joy of Easter, therefore, transcends the bounds of time, offering a perpetual fountain of inspiration and strength for those who embrace the risen Christ. This hope is not just for the afterlife but invigorates the daily walk of faith, encouraging believers to live with an eternal perspective in their earthly journey. [28:13]
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." - 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV
Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection shape your daily perspective on challenges and hardships?
Day 2: Divine Comfort in Sorrow
The story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb poignantly illustrates that God does not shy away from human pain and sorrow but draws near to those who are brokenhearted. The resurrection narrative reveals that our deepest moments of grief are not overlooked by Heaven. Instead, they become sacred spaces where the risen Christ may choose to reveal Himself in a transformative manner. This divine encounter can shift our understanding of God's presence, reassuring us that we are never alone in our suffering. The resurrection assures us that tears are a language God understands, and in our vulnerability, we may find a profound connection with the Savior. [53:23]
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18 ESV
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt God's comfort during a period of deep sorrow or loss?
Day 3: Scripture's Joyful Humanity
The Bible, while divine in origin, does not detach itself from the human experience, including humor and joy. The playful elements within the Gospel of John, for example, serve as a reminder that the scriptures are meant to be engaged with a full range of emotions. These moments of levity invite believers to approach the Word of God not as a static text but as a dynamic and living conversation with the Divine, one that encompasses the entirety of human experience. Recognizing humor in the Bible can deepen our connection to the text, making it more relatable and alive in our daily lives. [48:03]
"Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'" - Psalm 126:2 ESV
Reflection: How can recognizing humor and joy in the Bible change your approach to reading and applying scripture in your life?
Day 4: Meeting Us in Doubt
The account of doubting Thomas is a powerful testament to Jesus' willingness to meet us at our point of need, even when that need is to overcome skepticism. Jesus does not chastise Thomas for his doubts but instead provides the evidence he requires to believe. This encounter teaches us that faith is not a one-size-fits-all experience; it is personal and responsive. Jesus is patient with our doubts and questions, and He offers us the personal revelation necessary to move from uncertainty to trust. This gracious approach underscores that our journey of faith is one where honest doubts can lead to deeper conviction. [57:57]
"O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions." - Psalm 65:2-3 ESV
Reflection: What doubts or questions are you currently wrestling with, and how can you invite Jesus into that space of uncertainty?
Day 5: Relational Nature of the Resurrection
The resurrection story extends far beyond the empty tomb; it is a narrative that emphasizes the ongoing, relational nature of God. Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to individuals in various states of grief, doubt, and failure, such as Peter, highlight that our imperfections do not distance us from Christ. Instead, they often serve as the very reason for His approach. The risen Lord is not repelled by our shortcomings but is drawn closer, offering His presence as a source of restoration and hope. This aspect of the resurrection invites us to recognize that God's love is not conditional upon our success but is steadfast in the face of our human frailty. [01:00:23]
"For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" - Isaiah 57:15 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on a recent failure or shortcoming. How can you allow this experience to draw you closer to Jesus and His redemptive work in your life?
Quotes
1) "I think this shows us something I think it shows us something that he wants to do in each and every one of us that he and this is my message that God is still appearing to people he came can't help it he loves people he's always and will always continue to reach out to people." [41:03
2) "The very first person that Jesus appears to was not the disciple was not religious people wasn't any of that no it was someone who was hurting someone who was crying someone who had a broken heart and she didn't even realize it was Jesus." [53:23
3) "Thomas said to him my Lord and my God he just got some Revelation he just got the information that he was missing he's no longer doubting Thomas even though I like this one the most." [57:57
4) "His response to his failure is the same thing that people do today because you think your failures Drive Jesus away from you but actually your failures attract Jesus to you." [01:01:54
5) "Finally the other disciple who had reached the tomb first John also went inside he saw saw and believed is that awesome that's the point where John says wait a minute wait a minute he's alive amen." [38:18
6) "The resurrection narrative extends beyond the empty tomb; it is about the ongoing, relational nature of God. Jesus' choice to appear to those who were grieving, doubting, or had failed, like Peter, underscores that our failures and doubts do not repel Jesus but rather draw Him closer to us." [01:00:23
7) "I enjoy my job I'm having fun I love reading my Bible and I don't look at it as a starch book that you read I look at it as a as a living word that you can be a part of and actually see humor in it because Jesus was humorous God's humorous." [48:03
8) "We are on a great spiritual journey all of us... we invite you guys that do not have a home to join us on a spiritual journey... give us a year of your life and really go all in not just a superficial come sit on the pews and do nothing but show up go all in." [33:25
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