God, I thank you for the springtime of life! I thank you that after every winter of despair, there is a springtime of hope, renewal, restoration and regeneration of life. Grant that in each of our lives there will be opportunities to spring forward with enthusiasm, excitement and energy. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
What hope does the “Spring of the Year” provide to you?
Which Bible verses about the “Spring” do you like the most?
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John 20: 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, 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 the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
We focus so much about the resurrection of Jesus, we often overlook that Jesus walked, talked and taught for 40 days in a post-resurrection ministry. It was this post-resurrection ministry of Jesus that confirmed the faith of the disciples, who ultimately expanded the faith and grew the church. For the next several days I will be expounding on some of these interactions Jesus had with the disciples. This Sunday I will preach about Jesus feeding the disciples on a beach.
Today, my thoughts will center on the doubt of Thomas. In the John Gospel, Jesus appears to the disciples, talks with them, and lets them see the prints of the nails in his hands, feet. This visit, among other contact with Jesus, set the disciples on fire with a passion that turned the world upside down – faith in Jesus Christ will provide the believer with life everlasting!
One of the surviving original 11 disciples, Thomas was not present at the sighting of Jesus. When the other disciples told Thomas they had seen Jesus alive, he refused to believe. Thomas told them he would not believe Jesus was not alive unless he could touch the nail prints in the hands and side of Jesus. When Jesus did appear to Thomas, Thomas confessed his faith in Jesus. Listen to the response of Jesus to Thomas:
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt 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 come to believe.” (John 20)
Thomas went on to become one of the most ardent believers and promoters of Jesus the world has ever seen. Tradition has it that Thomas evangelized India on behalf of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is believed he lived until 72 AD, when he was murdered by four soldiers in India.
So, my question is, “Why did Thomas doubt the testimony of the other disciples:
To come back to life after death was humanly impossible.
Thomas was not present at the first sighting of Jesus. If he had been present, he probably would have believed what he saw, but he was not there.
Thomas has been given a bad wrap over the years, but in a sense, there are times in many of our lives, we too have our doubts. Jesus did not curse Thomas or hold anything against him. Rather, when Thomas finally came around to believe in Jesus, the Lord told him, “Better are those who believe who have not seen.”
You and I are in that number who believe who have not physically seen Jesus! Thomas went on to a tremendous ministry. In like manner, you and I have an opportunity to live our faith, build on our faith, bring others to the faith, and benefit from the joy of the faith, by simply believing in the faith of Jesus Christ. Thank God for this faith!
Questions for Reflection:
What are your thoughts about Thomas?
Does his doubt regarding Jesus seem unreasonable?
What are you thoughts about the response of Jesus to the doubt of Thomas?
Are you surprised about the ministry and death of Thomas?
Other thoughts on this or other aspects of the post-resurrection ministry of Jesus?
Prayer: Lord, help my unbelief. Grow my faith. Lead me in your way. Lord, I will go where you want me to go, do what you want me to do, and preach what you want me to preach, and bring others to your truth and salvation. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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The Post-Resurrection Ministry of Jesus – Evening on the 1st Day of the Week
John 20: 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
After the death of Jesus and his resurrection on Easter Sunday, prior to his ascension to heaven, Jesus experienced a 40 day post-resurrection ministry. During this time there were several sightings of Jesus and teaching moments where he gave personal direction to the disciples. The first of these post-resurrection teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of John happens in the closed room where the disciples have assembled. The doors are locked out of fear of reprisal from the Jews who killed Jesus. Jesus appears to his close friends and simply says, “Peace be with you.” Jesus repeats his words on, “Peace be with you.” He continues and tells the disciples that if they forgive others, their sins will be forgiven. I think he is telling the disciples to forgive those who killed him.
As we consider this scripture, I want to challenge you to think about the people you have a reason to forgive. Who are those wo have wronged you? Who has injured you? Who has said mean and unkind things to and about you? Do you have the strength to forgive? If not, why not? Have you ever prayed to the Lord for the strength to forgive and allow someone to come back into your grace? This is the command of Jesus – forgive others of their sins!
Questions for Reflection:
What are your thoughts about the post-resurrection ministry of Jesus?
What does it take to forgive someone who has killed your friend or family member?
Why do you think Jesus begins by saying, “Peace be with you.”
Other thoughts on this story from the Bible?
Prayer: Lord, grant me your peace. Lord, grant me your presence. Lord, grant me your power, especially the power to forgive others for the wrongs they have done. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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Pastor Nick Hood3 with an Invitation to Easter Sunday!
Invitation to Easter Worship 2021
Today is Easter Sunday! I pray that the Lord will bless you and your family this Easter! I also invite you to join me in worship at 8:30 AM EST at www.puccdetroit.org or on YouTube @Plymouthuccdetroit
My sermon is entitled, “Why are You Crying?”
I am preaching today from the John 20 story of the resurrection of Jesus. I have included for your spiritual edification, the eyewitness accounts from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John so you can view them side by side. One of the points I will be making in my sermon is that Mary Magdalene is present in each of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection, and in John, she is the person who approaches the tomb where Jesus was laid, alone!
Blessings and peace. Later today, I will post the sermon and all of our glorious music as we praise the Lord!
Praying for you!
Nick
Easter Scriptures
John 20: The Resurrection of Jesus
(Mt 28:1–10; Mk 16:1–8; Lk 24:1–12)
John 20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.
50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51 had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Luke 24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.[3]
The Resurrection of Jesus
(Mt 28:1–10; Lk 24:1–12; Jn 20:1–10)
Mark 16When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.[4]
The Resurrection of Jesus
(Mk 16:1–8; Lk 24:1–12; Jn 20:1–10)
Matthew 28After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” [5]
Questions for Reflection:
How will you celebrate Easter?
What is your favorite Easter Scripture?
What are your thoughts regarding Mary Magdalene and Jesus?
Other thoughts about Easter?
Prayer: Lord, bless me this day to focus on your suffering and resurrection form the dad and your promise of eternal life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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One of the significant underpinnings of the Easter sunrise story of the resurrection of Jesus is the ministry of care displayed by Mary Magdalene and the other women who rise early in the morning, while it is still dark to anoint the body of Jesus.
John 20: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
Why does Mary approach the tomb? She goes to the tomb because she loves Jesus, believed in Jesus, and wants to extend care to Jesus – even in death! Think for a moment the motivation for Mary. Other Gospels mention other women who approach the tomb, but Mary is central. I believe what we see in Mary is a ministry of care. When you care about someone, you are with them to the end! Mary was with Jesus from the beginning. The ugly, painful, disappointing death of Jesus that neither Mary or the other disciples close to the Lord never thought could or would happen, did happen!
As Mary approaches the tomb of Jesus, she is mentally prepared to anoint his body with fragrant oils. Perhaps she was prepared to wrap his body in a fresh garment. Mary probably thought she would tidy the tomb, dusting it off, and making sure it was secure to prevent rodents and thieves from entering.
I want you to ask yourself, “How do I minister to those in need?” It is one thing to preach and teach another, but how often are we like Mary, prepared to clean the home of someone who is sick, change their sheets, make their bed, give them their medicines, cook for them, feed them, take them for a walk or ride in the car, talk with them about all kinds of things – large or small, engage them in conversation about things to take their mind off of a looming death or medical treatment options, or more?
Have you ever committed yourself to a ministry of care? When a person commits to a ministry of care for a friend or family member, they are, “All in.” Some people are so, “All in,” they rise to incredible levels of attentiveness and care. I have watched over the years that sometimes people who are “Ministers of care,” do not know what to do when the person they are caring for eventually dies. Sometimes they fall apart. Other times, it is almost as though they have lost a reason to live, because the focus of their care and attention is no longer alive.
Some people are more attentive in the death and dying process than they were when the person they cared for was alive. Mary Magdalene was with Jesus through out his ministry and was with him to the end!
If it were not for the “Ministry of care,” that Mary displayed, the disciples probably would not have realized until later that first Easter morning, that Jesus had risen from the tomb! So, this Easter, think about Mary and her, “Ministry of Care” and ask yourself, where do I fit into a similar ministry? Thank you for reading!
Blessings,
Nick
Questions for Reflection:
What are your thoughts about a “Ministry of Care?”
Have you ever cared enough about another person to clean their house, give them medicine, prepare meals, talk with them, walk with them, ride with them, and travel with them?
What does it take to allow another person to care for you?
If you were sick, sick unto death, would you allow another person into your life, to know what you were going through?
Other thoughts about a “Ministry of Care?”
Prayer: Lord, grant me the compassion to care! Humble me, and help me to care for the sick, offer cheer and conversation to the dying, laughter and joy to those who are filled with disbelief and sorrow, and the encouragement of hope of everlasting life in Jesus Christ. In Christ I pray. Amen.
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Good morning! Today is Good Friday! Isn’t it odd, that the day Jesus was killed we call Good Friday? But, this is when the Resurrection of Jesus begins! I hope you will view our Good Friday 7 Last Words anytime after 12 noon at http://www.puccdetroit.org or FB or, right here on WordPress Blessings Nick
