(The Life of Jesus) His Resurrection — Earle Maxwell

Thank you again to everybody who's contributed so meaningfully to our fellowship of this hour and if you just turn that song sheet, we won't sing the verse, we'll just read the verse this morning, which is number 5, we're into the 5th chapter as it were of our study of the life of Christ, which each chapter spells victory, but we're working to that ultimate victory.

1 -0 -4, verse 5, we'll just read those two lines and then read the refrain together, please. Who is he who from the grave comes to succour, help and save, tis the Lord, O wondrous story, tis the Lord, the King of glory, at his feet we humbly fall, crown him.

The Resurrection as Christ’s Ultimate Victory

Well now this morning you will realise that we have moved into the resurrection of Jesus Christ and I think it was Martin Luther who said we should live as though Christ died yesterday, he rose today and he's coming tomorrow.

Well you'll see how important the resurrection and the question is who is he who from the grave and there's a continuing ministry emerging out of this resurrection experience as the songwriter says, who comes to succour, help and save.

There was an old legend that said that Satan appeared to a saint and said, I am the Christ, the saint replied and confounded Satan by saying to him, if you are the Christ, where are the marks of the nails.

Paul’s Case for the Necessity of the Resurrection

As in the New Testament, so it is today that there are still people who will contest the truth of the resurrection and I am helped to commence this short study this morning by looking for a few moments at Paul's teaching in this regard, if we turn to 1 Corinthians 15.

1 Corinthians 15 and in verse 13 first of all Paul says in writing to the church at Corinth, he said if there is no resurrection then Christ is not risen, then he goes on into verse 14 and says if Christ is not risen then our preaching is wasted, it's in vain and furthermore he says to the Corinthian Christians, your faith is in vain.

And then he goes into verse 15 and said if there is no resurrection then we are false witnesses, we are peddling something that is not truthful presenting. And then if you go into verse 17 and hear the seriousness of it starts to even intensify, if Christ is not raised, not only is your faith in vain but you are yet in your sin.

And then in verse 19 he just brings it into a finale and he says if in this life only we have hope in Christ and Christ is not risen then we are of all people most miserable. Thank God there is a joyousness in the resurrection, it's great news and it's good news for today.

And I like what one writer says when he says the church of God is built on an empty grave. So now we are going to have a little look at part of the resurrection encounter. The day that Jesus arose from the dead on that resurrection Sunday he appeared certain people, noticeably first to Mary Magdalene, that lady who had been wonderfully delivered and gee the resurrected Christ knew that in the day of sorrow people who have known great deliverance can also have great testings.

The Disciples’ Fear and Thomas’s Absence

And you know how also he sent a message to Peter, Peter who had denied him. And during the evening hours of that memorable Easter Sunday I find here in St John's Gospel, 10 of the disciples were despondently gathered together in what we might call an upper room.

They were so fearful they had bolted the doors, they didn't want anybody to enter into their privacy nor share their grief. And interestingly enough in verse 24 of John 20, John takes note he must have been the core secretary.

John somehow got word of the core secretary's report to note that there was only one absentee. 10 out of 11, not a bad, it's more than a pass mark. But John felt that it was worthy of noting that Thomas was the only absentee on this occasion and he includes it in his reference.

You see these disciples had felt that their world had shattered and you need to understand how they had moved along through their discipleship and here and again they would say things to Jesus which immediately alerted Jesus that they still had a little distance to go before they could really digest and understand the truth.

In fact on one occasion Jesus said to them, you know what I'm telling you now you may not get it all or you may not put the handle on it all as captain said this morning. But in due course said Jesus it'll come to you and the great tutor of course he referred to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The Disciples’ Slow Understanding of Death and Resurrection

So I just want to make three references at this point to help you to understand that the disciples were still groping a little bit. They hadn't got it all together yet and if for instance if you look in Matthew chapter 16 and in verse 22, Matthew 16 and in verse 22 you'll get the, you're left with the impression that at this stage if Peter is speaking with some sort of representation on behalf of the other disciples they did not believe that Christ would die.

Matthew 16 22 because in the previous verse Jesus had showed them he must go to Jerusalem and suffer and be killed and raised again and in verse 22 Peter took him and began to rebuke him. My word he was a brave man Peter.

Try to rebuke Jesus and he said it be it far from me Lord this shall not be unto thee, you're not going to die. And then if you look in Mark chapter 16 verse 11, Mark chapter 16 and in verse 11 and they when they had heard that he was alive and had been seen of her believed not.

So not only was there a sense in which they couldn't come to terms with the fact that Jesus would die but they couldn't believe in the resurrection at that point and not only did they have difficulty in handling the resurrection but they also had difficulty in handling the truth of the ascension.

Because even after the resurrection in the first few verses of the Acts of the Apostles when Jesus was speaking to them the risen glorified Christ they responded and said Lord can you fill us in. Will you at this time restore under Israel their kingdom.

They couldn't even grasp the concept of the ascension and sometimes we're a little bit like those two travelers on the road to Emmaus. We too are a little slow of heart to believe. However let's go back to John again chapter 20.

Peace, Joy, and the First Appearance to the Disciples

Their fears were turned to joy as in a surprising moment Jesus came to where they were and gave them that beautiful greeting peace be unto you. Verse 19 of John 20. And not only did he give them the greeting but he turned around to them and he said to them I want to show you and he showed them the hands that had been pierced on the cross and he showed his side that had been opened with a lance.

This was the disciples the ten of them this was their first gaze upon the resurrected Christ. Gladness overcame their despair as we read in verse 20. Now at this point I'd like to make one or two observations because their thoughts that may be with your experience and with time later on you might like to follow them through.

But let me just enumerate them quickly. Firstly the good news the good news that lifted the ten right out of their despair to a new level of hope and confidence. That same news sent Thomas in the other direction.

When they went up Thomas went down. The very truth that Thomas needed desperately he had not been present to receive it. You know I was talking to Dr. Arthur the other day and I reminded him that when he made reference on a couple of occasions to that wonderful stirring hymn stand up stand up for Jesus.

I remembered as a lieutenant someone gave me a little verse and it goes to the same tune and it says get up get up for Jesus ye soldiers of the cross. A lazy Sunday morning means certain harm and loss.

If Christians on a weekday can commence their work at seven then surely they on Sunday can worship at eleven. Now the second thought I want to leave with you to follow through is this. Let's notice how kind and charitable the ten were to their doubting brother.

The Ten Disciples’ Charity Toward Thomas

Hallelujah. Despite the joyous testimony of ten competent witnesses Thomas remained unimpressed. He's referred six times in the scriptures, five times in John and one in Luke. And in fact Thomas only speaks twice in the New Testament.

And if you listen to what he says firstly at the death of Lazarus and then in you go into John 14 show how can we know the way Jesus. We don't know where you're going. Thomas is one of those somber characters who never gets out into the shut sunshine.

But thank God that the ten had a good spirit towards him. Third little thought I'd like to leave with you that you might follow through is we really don't know why Thomas preferred loneliness instead of togetherness.

In other words we don't know why Thomas wasn't with them. But I tell you what we do know something of what it cost him for not being there. And let me quickly outline for you. First of all he missed out on seeing the risen Lord on the resurrection day.

Secondly he missed Jesus uttering that first benediction. Peace be unto you in verse 19. And thirdly he was not there for the commissioning. Verse 21 and Jesus said unto them as the father hath sent me even so send I you.

Thomas missed his commissioning. Can you imagine it? Now let me just say that as a result of not being there with the ten. Thomas doubted the testimony of his ten brothers in the Lord. He doubted their testimony.

And secondly he had to endure eight days of doubt. I tell you one day of doubt is enough but to go through eight days. But that was the cost to Thomas. My next thought that I'd like to leave with you and you can follow it through at your own leisure.

But take notice of the fact that Thomas was was wanting to come to faith by the visible channel. Now he had been present when Lazarus would be marvelously restored. But somehow he seems to have forgotten that.

And he said I'm just going to give certain conditions. I'm going to say and he shared his response with the other disciples. He said I'm looking for a living witness except I see. And he said not only am I looking for a living witness but he said for me my faith or even eternity is at stake.

Because he said I will not believe unless I can see where I'm going. Last little thought in this section is this. That despite his costly absenteeism he was still within the parameters of providential care.

Thomas Within God’s Providential Care

You know when I look at Elijah on the run in the Old Testament in 1 Kings 19. What happens? God knows where he is. And you can try and escape from God. You can try and go to this way or that way or in any direction you like to name.

But I want to tell you you're never outside his providential care. Praise God. Now as I said before a little bit of a reflection on the days in which I was trained to be a Salvation Army officer. I now respectfully submit to you three simple thoughts that you might take with you.

The Risen Christ Knows Our Needs

Who is he? Let me answer the question firstly by saying the risen Christ it is who knows my needs. The beautiful thing is that Jesus in Matthew 6, 8 says that even your heavenly Father knows what need that we have even before we ask him.

And in this incident I'm suddenly confronted with the fact that Jesus the risen Christ not only knew the needs that Thomas had but he knows your needs and my needs because he is the silent listener. You've seen the sign in many a Christian home Christ is the head of this house.

The silent listener to every conversation. Christ was aware of the sceptical and the demanding words that Thomas had shared with the other disciples. And here is another proof of his omniscience. And here as I look into the gospel I find that in a very wonderful way and even if you go over into John 21 you can just pick up for instance in verse 15.

You remember when Peter who denied Jesus at the fireside and he's restored at the fireside the first Christian barbecue. You remember when Jesus invited them the barbecue was ready. And then he turned to Jesus and said do you love me and I'm sorry to Peter and Peter turned around and said in verse 15 Lord thou knowest.

And then for a second time in verse 16 after the second question again Peter comes back and says Lord thou knowest that I love thee. And then in verse 17 after that third searching analysis from Jesus.

Seems as though Peter is running out of words as to how to express himself and almost despair. Oh he said Lord thou knowest all things. Thou knowest that I love thee. There is not one brother or sister here in this fellowship that your heavenly father and my heavenly father does not know what we have need of.

And he has resources in Christ which Paul confidently wrote to the church at Philippi and said my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches. In Christ Jesus the risen the glorified Christ.

I want to tell you that's a very important first thought that I leave with you this morning and you can follow it through. He knew what Thomas had said. He knew where Thomas was moving. He knew what was biting within time.

Thomas he knew. I remember a little four-liner which said God knows he loves he cares nothing this truth can dim. He gives the very best to those who leave the choice with him. God knows. The risen Christ knows.

The Risen Christ Responds to Our Needs

And the second truth that confronts me in this resurrection message is that the risen Christ not only it is he who knows our needs but he it is who responds to our needs as he came to Thomas. So he comes to you and to me.

Why does he come? Because he loves his servants. John 13 one that magnificent verse which says Jesus loved his own and he loved them to the very end. God in Christ responds to your needs and to my needs because not only does he know what I have need of but he has resources to meet those needs and he brings to them to me in his time in a way that will answer my deepest need.

There was no fault finding when eight days later Jesus came into the room again and there were 11 present. He didn't turn around and say to Thomas, Thomas I'm going to stand you down for a week. I'm going to get you to do a little bit more study of the Old Testament and get up to date on the truth of the word of God.

There was no word of rebuke but simply that lovely benediction once again in verse 26. Peace be unto you. You see he not only comes because he loves you and me but he comes because the word of God says he will come.

Where two or three are gathered together Matthew 18 20 and he comes in perfect time. You and I sometimes get a little irritated that God doesn't move according to our calendar or our time piece. Like Moses who got a little agitated in the Old Testament and he turned around to God and he was concerned for Miriam and he said to God heal her now.

If you think God makes mistakes you are mistaken. If you think God makes mistakes you are mistaken. For he doeth all things well. And although the doors were shut and he comes before the group of them.

I think that this was not only for the encouragement of Thomas but it was also for the encouragement of the other ten who would remember that about a week earlier Jesus had met with them and had spoken to them and here he is again.

So it's reinforcing their faith but he turns to Thomas because Thomas is the one who has the desperate urgent need. So my third and closing thought is who is he? He is the risen Christ who always matches the resource to meet the need that we have felt so desperately and when his resources match my needs this evokes praise and thanksgiving.

Thomas’s Confession of the Risen Lord

Such condescension. He who suffered the scourging. He who suffered the crucifixion and the grave and now with victory over sin and death accomplished he turns around and he patiently ministers to a doubting and sceptical disciple.

After all that he's been through. The risen Christ invites Thomas to touch, to put his finger into the nail prints and put his hand in his side. You see Thomas was given the opportunity to have his doubts resolved at the very area where he had felt and found himself to be most vulnerable.

It's as though Jesus was saying I know the very irritation that you're going through and this is the answer and you can do it. What you wanted to do I will let you do. The wonder of it. I think of a little four-liner.

How thou canst love me as thou dost and be the God thou art is darkness to my intellect but sunshine to my heart. Little wonder that Thomas was overwhelmed. I try to enter into his mind pattern for a moment and I discover that perhaps in his thinking he said oh my God this is the very issue that I raised with the disciples and Jesus without me speaking to him about it he knows what my irritation my concern was and he's come right to my point of need.

And here listen to this in verse 28 and Thomas answered and said unto him my Lord and my God. This statement some feel some people feel that this statement is the pinnacle of St John's gospel. My Lord and my God.

And although Thomas is identified as the most doubting of all those who comprise the disciples group he out distanced all of them when it came to doubt and yet he is the first he is the first after the resurrection to affirm the divinity of the risen Savior.

He's the first to stand up and say I'll give my testimony my Lord and my God. And so Jesus turned to him and said Thomas I'm just going to give you an extension of Matthew 5. I'm going to give you another beatitude.

Verse 29 because thou hast seen me thou hast believed but all Thomas blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed. This last beatitude it came to Thomas in an upper room. It came to Saul on the Damascus road.

It came to Augustine in a garden. It came to Luther on his knees. It came to Booth in a Nottingham chapel and it comes to me again this morning as I hope it comes to you. My Lord. Let us bow in prayer.

Oh God my Lord and my God in thy presence is fullness of joy. Could I ask that in the closing moments of this beautiful time follow on to some very precious moments that we've shared with each other. Could we turn to number 50 in the yellow book and just as I surely would want to give thanks to God that the risen Christ who came to Thomas in his need comes to you and to me and in response together we say my Lord and my God.