Two Weeks After Easter

Sermon for 1 May 2022

It is pretty normal for most of us to view historical people as just characters in a book. When we read of Henry VIII, we seldom stop to consider he was a real human being with the strengths and faults of any other ordinary human. The big difference was that he was a king with absolute power. That too, however, was real. The same can be said of the Bible. Was Moses a real person or was he a figure of legend like Hercules or Paul Bunyan? Although they lived 2000 years ago, the followers of Jesus were living breathing people not very different than your neighbors or the folks siting on either side of you. What did they do when Jesus was put on trial and publicly executed? The one who betrayed him felt such guilt he took his own life. Pretty extreme but not unheard of. Ten of the other eleven went into hiding afraid for their own lives. Only John, who was politically connected, dared show his face at the foot of the cross. These guys were real and had reason to be afraid. If their leader was guilty of blasphemy, so were they.

Then a miracle happened. Their leader, who had been crucified, declared dead and placed in a tomb, was alive!! They should have known; Jesus told them he would rise from the grave. It is in all four Gospels. The version I like best is in the 16th chapter of John. The truth was too unbelievable for them to grasp. But Christ did live again after being crucified, died, and was buried. What did these ordinary men do after they met the Risen Christ? They believed. That was Christ’s plan. His end objective is in the Great Commission, go tell the whole world. Jesus tells them before he is Crucified, after he rose from the tomb, and in his final words as he ascended into heaven. Acts Chapter 1 verse 8. “...you will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth.” He qualifies his remarks, however, with “When the Holy Spirit has come upon you...” Thus, to become the core of Christian outreach leading to a worldwide body of believers whose tenets are love and forgiveness, first we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. But... and if is a big but, a prerequisite to receiving the Holy Spirit is to believe. You may recall I have said several times that Jesus never did anything that wasn’t planned. The plan for a world-wide church open to everyone who practices forgiveness and loves their neighbor began before He was born. I won’t go back that far. I will start a few days before his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus and his followers passed through Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha two of His devout followers. Their brother had been dead for four days, long enough that he smelled, and Jesus brought him back to life. Not only that, He did it in public with the whole town watching!!!. Jesus himself said that He raised Lazarus, “so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” I don’t know about you, but if I were witness to the raising of Lazarus, I would be well on my way to being a believer.

Then what did He do? He came into Jerusalem like a conquering hero and made enemies of those in power. So much so that they had Him killed. Just like he told his followers they would. Then on the first Sunday following Passover, He walked out of the tomb. Wow!! He appeared to the women who told the disciples, and he revealed himself to some followers who were on their way home to Emmaus. These guys were chosen because they were very good at spreading the word. Jesus didn’t want to keep His resurrection a secret, so he appeared to those who would tell everybody. Who believes that His speech to Thomas was off the cuff? He knew His words would be recorded and repeated over and over. “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet believed.” His followers believe, now they are ready to prepare to receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus had to teach them how to receive the Power of God. Can you believe that? If you think about it, you probably know several people who would like to receive the Spirit of the Lord and don’t know how. Times really haven’t changed very much.

Jesus took them to camp. I visualize the atmosphere much the same as spring training. No pressure to win games just an opportunity to work on improving individual and team skills. They camped along the Sea of Tiberias, built campfires, went fishing, and held training sessions. We don’t know how may followers were there. Most experts believe there were several, and the number would fluctuate as some finished their training more quickly than others. They must have had quite a crowd if it took 158 nice fish to make a meal. We get a glimpse of one such training session in Jesus’s famous conversation with Peter. He asked Peter three times “Do you love me?” and Peter answered “Yes.” All three times. Between each question Jesus told Peter first “Feed my lambs.” Then “Sheppard my Sheep.” And finally Tend my sheep.” Jesus knew this conversation would also be recorded and repeated many many times. Jesus was speaking to us as well as to Peter. What does He mean when he tells us to “Feed my lambs?” I know what it means to me, but what does it mean to you? When Peter and the others realized what it meant, they were ready to receive the Holy Spirit, all in according to Jesus’s plan. When His followers truly believed, were trained in the ministry of love and forgiveness, and received the Holy Spirit they were capable of fulfilling the Great Commission. They were ready to spread the word of God to the ends of the earth.

Pray with me. Dear Lord we are willing to do your will. We are ready to follow where you lead. We believe, we have studied your word, we only need for you to tell each and every one of us what you want us to do. Amen.