Diagnosing on the Basis of Normality — Major Ian Thomas

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

Basis of normality. I thought we might just take a little exploration this morning and begin that exploration in the 16th chapter of Matthew's gospel. It sort of won't be a lecture and it won't be a sermon, it'll just be a devotional lecture.

16th of Matthew and the 13th verse, when Jesus came into the coast of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I am? The Son of Man. And I imagine that on occasions, the Lord Jesus himself having a tremendous sense of humor.

Otherwise, of course, as our creator, he would never have given to you and to me a sense of humor. They had times when they enjoyed a bit of fun, and I think this initially was just one such a time. Said the Lord Jesus, What's the latest?

Because then as now, every quaint idea was going the rounds about the person, the origin, office and ministry of the Lord Jesus. So he said, What's the latest? Well, they said, You'd hardly believe this, but some say they're John the Baptist.

Well, you know what happened to John the Baptist, he had his head cut off. So they said, You'd never believe this, but there are some folk who say that John the Baptist has had his head put on again, he's in business.

And then somebody else said, Yes, but what about this? Some say that you're Elias, Elijah, the one who was caught up in a chariot of fire. They say you've been in orbit all these centuries, but you've landed, and you're back in circulation.

And then somebody said,. And some say you're this prophet, and some say you're that prophet. And then suddenly, rather more seriously, the Lord Jesus said, But whom say ye that I the Son of Man am? And Simon Peter, who was never really at a loss at any time to say anything or give any answer, if he didn't know the answer, he made one up.

That was essentially Peter. Said Peter, Thou art the Christ, Son of the Living God. Right or wrong? Well, that was right. That was right. And said Jesus, Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee.

My Father which is in heaven, this is by divine revelation. All truth is by divine revelation. No truth is ever experiential to you and to me except by divine revelation. We can learn truth, but it'll never be truth in our experience apart from the revelation of God the Holy Spirit.

That's his ministry. He leads us into all truth and expounds the truth to us. You can memorize whole chunks of the Bible. You can master doctrines and never really know experientially the truth that you say you've mastered.

There's gotta come a moment of truth where the Holy Spirit is able to lead us to the person of the one who is that truth. Jesus himself. By divine revelation. Peter bears this testimony. It was a big thing to say because Israel all down the centuries had been waiting for the Messiah.

It would be just about as sensational if it could happen. It couldn't happen that way, but if suddenly I could burst into this room and say, he's come. You know you've been waiting for the Lord Jesus to return when he's arrived.

Well, we know of course it won't happen that way, but it would be just about as sensational as to say that. What Peter then said. Thou art the Christ. The one for whom all Israel has been waiting all down the centuries.

You've arrived. The promised seed of faithful Abraham. In whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. Thou art the Christ. God's prophet, priest and king. The anointed one. Son of the living God.

And you might well imagine that having come to this conclusion and having made that affirmation. To which no doubt all the other disciples gladly added their consent. The disciples now would be highly qualified to go out into the highways and the byways.

And publish the tremendous news that Jesus was the Christ. That the Messiah had arrived. But you look at the 20th verse. For just so soon as by divine revelation they'd borne testimony to the fact that Jesus was the Christ.

Son of the living God. The Lord Jesus, verse 20, charged his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. Doesn't that strike you as a little bit quaint? It's a little tame the way it's put there.

Let me read it from the Amplified New Testament that gives it rather more strictly. In the 20th verse then he sternly and strictly charged and warned the disciples. To tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.

He immediately placed them under a total absolute strict stern prohibition. Why should he call men to be his disciples and designate them as apostles. Who by divine revelation recognized who he was and then immediately forbid them under any circumstances to tell anybody anywhere that he was Jesus the Christ.

Apostles with no apostolic office. Preachers with no sermon. Missionaries with no message. Evangelists with no gospel to preach. What's wrong? Well of course Peter was absolutely right and the others too when they added their affirmation to the fact that Jesus was the Christ.

All that was wrong was this. That having declared Jesus to be the Christ son of the living God. Quite frankly if the truth be told and if we look quite impartially, impersonally and coldly at the fact.

They hadn't a clue what it was all about. Not a clue. It was one thing you see to say that Jesus was the Christ. Quite another thing to know that the purpose which as the Christ did come into the world.

It was one thing to say you are the Messiah. But quite another thing to understand the messianic mission. What God was at. And at this stage of their knowledge of the Lord Jesus they hadn't a clue. Not a clue.

Not that the Lord Jesus hadn't taught them. He had constantly. But nothing penetrated. I think was it possibly on Sunday morning. Can't remember. One time over this weekend. I said to folks who might be pastors or Sunday school teachers or Bible class leaders.

That if they on occasions are tempted to be discouraged because of the slowness with which maybe those who have been entrusted to their charge. Begin to assimilate and actually grasp what they are talking about.

We can be greatly encouraged by the fact that nobody in the whole wide world had a duller Bible class than Jesus Christ. They were thick. Absolutely solid. Nothing penetrated. That's always a great encouragement to me.

That's why I come to schools like this. Because nothing discourages me now. Because nothing discouraged him then. For three solid years the Lord Jesus again and again and again and yet again spelled it out loud and clear.

Nothing penetrated. Isn't that encouraging. That's why he forbade them. And I don't mean by this that they didn't have a sentimental regard and love and attachment to the Lord Jesus. They had all of that.

I don't mean by this that they didn't offer him their loyalty. They did indeed. They'd left their homes and their jobs. They'd hit the road with Jesus Christ. But they hadn't a clue. I don't mean they weren't enthusiastic.

You couldn't have had a more enthusiastic bunch of men. They were constantly looking forward to the day when the movement would get off the ground. They were the Jesus people of his day and generation.

If they'd had stickers in those days they'd have been plastered with them. On the tail of every donkey they rode you'd see little placards. Snort if you love Jesus. They were Jesus people. But unfortunately then as now they hadn't a clue what it was all about.

The Disciples Reject the Cross

How do we know? Is this a bit tough on the disciples? Well read the next verse, 21. Jesus from that time forth began to show unto his disciples how that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised again the third day.

In other words he gave them a simple panoramic preview of the messianic purpose. Told them exactly what was going to happen. And Peter took him. Literally it means he drew him on one side. So that he could have a little counsel with the Lord Jesus and put him right.

He drew him on one side saying Literally pity yourself. Be it far from thee Lord this shall not be unto thee. Said Peter to the Lord Jesus forget it. Whatever you might have in mind forget it. That cannot, that must not, that will not happen to you and we're going to make quite sure it doesn't.

That's why the Lord Jesus forbade him and the others to tell anybody anywhere that he Jesus was the cross. Because quite frankly they didn't want the cross. And they didn't believe in the resurrection.

And what have you got to say to the world. If you don't want the cross you don't believe in the resurrection. Absolutely nothing. So had they gone out then and there to publish from the housetops that Jesus was the Christ.

With the best will in the world and with the utmost dedication, enthusiasm and sentimental attachment to the person of Jesus Christ. They could only have taught absolute unadulterated sentimental nonsense.

And the Lord Jesus isn't particularly interested in people talking nonsense in his name. So he told them to keep their mouth shut. Because if you can't talk sense you'll talk nonsense and the best thing if you can only talk nonsense is not talk.

Then if you don't talk sense at least you won't talk nonsense. I wonder how many churches would be closed next Sunday. If the Lord Jesus had his way. I wonder how many pulpits would be vacant next Sunday.

If the Lord Jesus had his way. I wonder how many theological seminaries and bible schools would be bereft of their faculty. If Jesus Christ had his way. Be it far from thee Lord said Peter this shall not be unto thee.

And the Lord Jesus turned and said to Peter. Looking through the man to the origin of what he had to say. Get thee behind me Satan. You see the devil himself was capitalizing upon a man's enthusiasm upon a man's sentimental attachment to Jesus.

The devil capitalize upon anything. He'll capitalize upon your dedication, your enthusiasm, your attachment to Christ. All the good things. As those who love God enough and the Savior enough to come to bible school.

He probably won't try to get you out on the bottle. Or off with another man's wife. He'll simply capitalize upon some of your noblest motivations. In order to stab Jesus Christ in the back. Get thee behind me said the Lord Jesus to Peter.

Get thee behind me Satan. Thou art an offense unto me. You're offensive. Here was a man who loved Christ. Dedicated to his cause. Believed him to be the Christ son of the living God. Yet said the Lord Jesus you're offensive.

Thou Savior's not the things that be of God but those that be of men. Your theology is of the earth. You see here was the son of man. Christ. Talking with the mind of God. Here was Peter destined one day to become a son of God.

Still talking with the mind of a man. Well that's one picture. A bunch of men. The devotees. The accredited disciples of Jesus Christ. Named to be apostles. And yet placed by the Lord Jesus under a strict stern prohibition.

There to tell nobody that he Jesus is the Christ. Now here's another picture of the same men. You'll find it in the fifth chapter of the book of Acts. Chapter five. They've just been beaten. By command of the Sanhedrin.

Gamaliel and the Apostles’ Witness

Being now released. At the behest of a certain gentleman by the name of Dr. Gamaliel. Who was a very fine honorable gentleman. Who in about five minutes talked more sense than the Sanhedrin could have talked in fifty years.

You remember the argument? For the apostles you see were in jail. And brought to trial. Let's just briefly remind ourselves. There stood up verse thirty four. In the council a Pharisee named Gamaliel.

Doctor of the law. Had in reputation among all the people. And commanded to put the apostles forth a little space. Then Dr. Gamaliel said to the men of Israel. You men of Israel take heed to yourselves what you intend to do is touching these men.

For before these days rose up Judas. Boasting himself to be someone. To whom a number of men about four hundred joined themselves. Who was slain. He's dead. All as many as obeyed him was scattered and brought to nought.

Said Dr. Gamaliel Judas is dead. And the four hundred men who were his disciples have been scattered to the winds. Then he went on to say verse thirty seven. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing.

And drew away much people after him. He also perished. Judas is dead. And all even as many as obeyed him were dispersed. So the four hundred devotees. Of Judas are scattered because Judas is dead. And all the devotees the disciples of Judas.

They're scattered. Judas is dead. Judas said Dr. Gamaliel is dead. Judas said Dr. Gamaliel is dead. Jesus said Dr. Gamaliel is dead. And if all the followers of Judas are scattered because Judas is dead.

And all the followers of Judas are scattered because Judas is dead. What do you think is going to happen to the followers of Jesus? Jesus is dead. At least you say he is. So why don't you grow up? Said Dr. Gamaliel.

What's the panic? Why do you behave like a bunch of frightened kids? What's scaring you? Judas is dead. Judas is dead. Jesus is dead. Now I send you verse thirty-eight refrain from these men. Let them alone.

They'll be as harmless as the followers of Judas. And they'll be as harmless as the followers of Judas. Let them alone. For if this council or this work be of men it will come to naught. Said Dr. Gamaliel.

If it be of God. You cannot overthrow it. Lest happily you be found even to fight against God. Said Dr. Gamaliel. Do you want to take him on? You'll find that God's bigger than you are. Said Dr. Gamaliel.

With the best sense in the world you better let God be God. And make his own decisions. Some good advice that you and I would do well to heed on occasions. In the twentieth century. We're always so busy fighting God's battles for him.

As though he were our poor relative. Man is never indispensable to God. God is always indispensable to man. We have to learn that the hard way. To him they agreed. Overwhelmed by the sheer logic of what he had to say.

And when they had called the apostles and beaten them. They commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. Who placed the prohibition? The Sanhedrin. And then they let them go. And verse forty-one tells us.

They departed from the presence of the council. Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Hilariously excited at the fantastic privilege that was theirs. To make up the sufferings of Christ.

As members of his body to suffer shame for his name. And what? Next verse. Daily. In the temple. Public place of worship. That's where people came who wanted to find God. And worship God. You could hardly have described the temple then.

As a hot bag. Of bible-believing conservative fundamental evangelism. But then they cut the temple dead. Simply because it didn't happen to be a conservatively evangelical center. Of course not. They were intelligent enough to know.

That if that's where people go. Who wanted to find God. And be instructed. And who for so long. Instead of bread had been given stones. That was the place to go. Of course. Most obvious. I'm waiting for an invitation from the Pope.

To preach in St. Peter's Rome. I'm not sure whether I'm going to get that invitation. But nothing would delight me more. Than to go there. And tell folk what they haven't heard for centuries. Daily. In the temple.

And in every home. From house to house. Face to face. Man to man. Eye to eye. They cease not. To teach and to preach. What? Exactly what they were forbidden to do in Matthew 16. Jesus is the Christ. Well that's great isn't it?

Matthew 16. The Lord Jesus. Forbids. Sternly. Strictly. Warms his disciples. Under no circumstances. Are you to tell anybody. Anywhere. That I Jesus am the Christ. We turn over a few pages. In the end of Acts chapter 5.

We find the same. Very same men. In the temple. Day by day. House to house. Man to man. Family to family. Testifying. Witnessing. Unafraid. Hilariously happy. That Jesus. Is the Christ. Well then something must have happened.

Between Matthew 16. And Acts chapter 5. That must completely revolutionize the situation. And it would. I believe. Be a good investment. To discover. What it was that happened. They rediscovered. Jesus.

The Bible’s Panoramic Revelation

In the power. Of his resurrection. Tell you where it all began. You'll find it in the last chapter. Of Matthew's gospel. Matthew. Last chapter. There's only one way. Really. To get to know the Bible. And that's.

Let the Bible. Explain the Bible. It's the best commentary. There is on the Bible. It's the cheapest too. Because when you buy the Bible. You buy the commentary. And you'll find that by and large. The Bible throws a tremendous amount of light.

On those commentaries. Never imagine. That the Bible is a textbook. Full of verses. And chapters. That you have to analyze. And that's all there is to it. It's a total revelation. And why so many. Who for years.

Tens. Tens of years. Ten. Thirty. Forty years. Have studied their Bible. Don't know what the Bible is all about. Because they've never allowed it. To be a total panoramic. Proclamation of God's. Timeless purpose.

That's why so many people. Go to church. Week after week. Month after month. All age Sunday school. And what else. But speak to them. Years later. And they haven't a clue. What it's all about. It's rather like somebody.

Who attends a lecture. Once or twice a week. On cars. And every week. Somebody brings out. One tiny little bit of the car. And talks about it. For twenty minutes. Then sticks it into the box. You see.

And the next week. They bring out another little bit. And they say. This is a very fascinating shape. Just look at that. Isn't that beautiful. Well I'll tell you. You know. What it's supposed to do. And they stick that in the box.

And they come back a week later. And they do that month after month. Year after year. What do they know about cars. Nobody's ever taken the pieces out of the box. Stuck it together. Made it a car. And they've never been for a ride.

How boring do you think that would be. After three years. How boring do you think that would be. After thirty years. And the tragedy is. There are countless true Christians. Who go to church. Week after week.

Sunday school. Week after week. And somebody. Describes a little bit. And sticks it back in the box. And they bring it out. And they've never. Ever. Been for a ride. Can't think of anything more boring than that.

That's why so many quit. That's why so many just sweated out. Hoping that one day get rewarded. Because they paid the price. Let the Bible explain itself. Until you see the whole panoramic purpose of God.

Diagnosing Redemption Against Normality

How he made man. Why he made man. How man was to function the way God made man. What went wrong. Because it's only against normality. That you can ever discover true diagnosis. Nobody will ever know what happened to them when they were redeemed.

Nobody will ever happen to know them. Know what happened to them. Or what is involved in being born again. Unless they know how God made them. How they were intended to function. All they'll do is learn language.

Somebody will tell them. If you're converted. You're on the way to heaven. So they'll say. I'm on the way to heaven. You'll say. Why? They'll say. Well I've been converted. But they won't know what it means to be converted.

Except that they've been through a procedure. You see. When a doctor sticks a thermometer in his mouth. He wants to know what your temperature is. Why? Well because he knows. What your temperature ought to be.

Normality. And against normality. He can make a diagnosis of abnormality. That's why it takes your blood pressure sometimes. That's why he counts your pulse sometimes. Because against normality. He'll know abnormality.

And if you're not much of a mechanic. And something goes wrong with your car. You take it round to the workshop. Hoping there may be somebody there who knows how it ought to work. You're not very often successful.

But you know perfectly well. If only you can find somebody who knows how it ought to work. It's possible they'll shoot the trouble. And discover abnormality. Malfunction. Against normality. And true function.

And we'll never be able to explain to people what happens when they're born again. We'll never be able to explain to people what God intended when they're redeemed. Unless we know how God made man. How he was intended to function.

And what went wrong. That was a little digression. Back to the last chapter of Matthew's Gospel. The 28th. It says in the end of the Sabbath as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week. On that first Sunday morning.

The Women Find the Empty Tomb

Came Mary Magdalene. And the other Mary to see the sepulchre. There they went. In the half light of the breaking dawn. Red eyed weary women. Trudging along. And the other records tell us that they were laden with spices and ointments.

Say. What were they going to do on that first Sunday morning? With their spices and ointments. What were they going to do? Embalm the dead body of their. Dead Jesus. On what morning? The third morning.

So how much did they believe in the resurrection? They didn't believe in the resurrection. Not one of them. The only people who believed in the resurrection were the enemies of the Lord Jesus. That's why they set a guard and had it sealed.

They were the only folk who were scared. The disciples were. They didn't believe in it. Nothing frightening about them about the resurrection. Because it wasn't going to happen. So if you'd been up early on that morning.

As a neighbour. Perhaps visiting just friends. Perhaps from some distant village. And in the half light you just discerned this little group of weary red eyed women. Coming down the road laden with spices and ointments.

And you said to your friend. Who are they? Friends of Jesus. Where are they going? To the tomb. To the cemetery. Why? He's dead. Oh. See. Well I mean supposing you had been there. And watched them on the way to the cemetery.

With spices and ointments to embalm the dead body. Wouldn't you have come to a reasonable supposition? He's dead. They obviously weren't going to a wedding. So what was their message for the world in which they lived?

These who washed his feet with their tears. And wiped them with their hair. Whose sentimental attachment for Jesus and their love for him was beyond dispute. What was their message for the world? Jesus alive or Jesus dead?

Jesus is. Dead. That's all they had to tell the world. Jesus dead. I wonder what would happen if somebody who knew absolutely nothing about the Christian life. Had never read a bible. Only read our hymn books.

What idea do you think they get by and large from most of our hymns? That Jesus is. Dead. And they'd imagine that Christians are folk who just hang around an old rugged cross. Gazing at it with love and wonder and saying I love that old rugged cross.

Do you? I don't. It was a Roman gallows. It was the place where they did my saviour to death. It was a place of execution. I don't love that old rugged cross. I love the saviour who died upon it. I love the God who sent him to accomplish what he did there.

But I don't love that cross. I might just as well pick up a dagger and say you see that dagger? I love that old dagger. It's just the sweetest thing in the world to me. I gaze at it with admiration. You know that's what they used to stab my mother dead.

I love that old dagger. But you see we've been brought up with such a sentimental attachment to the cross that we've forgotten what happened there. By and large we've left the Christ hanging on it. Jesus isn't dead.

He's alive. That's the place where he died. And we shall never cease to be profoundly thankful to God for what he accomplished at that place. He bore our sins. He paid the price of our redemption. His blood was shed that we might be reconciled to a holy God.

True. The cross is empty. And the tomb. But these women didn't know it. They were on their way to find the dead body of their crucified Jesus. It's rather an unusual morning mind you. One thing there was an earthquake.

That's a bit disturbing first thing on a Sunday morning. And the ground began to shake. But there was another surprise for them. They'd hardly got within sight through the half bloom of the tomb where they expected to find the dead body of their crucified Jesus.

And they suddenly saw a lot of bodies lying around so they were dead. So added to an earthquake and a lot of dead bodies. They were a bit scared. And hardly they got over the shock of an earthquake plus dead bodies and they looked up into the face of an angel.

Well that's a little unusual too for a Sunday morning. But I think even angels have a sense of humour. Hope they have. Otherwise when they look at us they'd be pretty miserable. Hope that every now and again they can have a real good laugh at how stupid we are.

Behold there was a great earthquake verse 2 tells us. For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow.

And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men. He was very kind to the women. He said don't panic. Don't be frightened. Fear not. I know you seek Jesus. I know why you've come. You're looking for Jesus.

Well weren't they? Weren't they seeking Jesus? Well of course they were. Any insincerity? No. But said the angel in so many words. I know that you're seeking Jesus. That's your motivation. Don't challenge the sincerity with which you've come.

But you haven't found him and you won't. Because you're making two mistakes. The first mistake you're making is this. You're looking for him in the wrong tent. And because of that mistake you're looking for him in the wrong place.

What did he say? You seek Jesus which was crucified. What tent is that? That's the past tense. Was it true? Well of course it was true. He was crucified. No question about that. He was crucified. But because they were still looking for him in the past tense.

The one who was crucified. They were looking for him in the wrong place. So said the angel. He was crucified. You're absolutely right. He was crucified. As a matter of fact that's exactly why he came to this world.

Incarnate. To live that sinless life to his father's total satisfaction. And there to be made sin for you upon the cross. Lay down his life a ransom for many. Wounded for your transgressions and bruised for your iniquities.

The cost of your peace with God laid upon him. The one who suffered the just for the unjust. You're absolutely right. He was crucified. But he is not here. Because that was the past tense. You seek Jesus which was crucified.

Verse 6. He is present tense not here. He is present tense risen. As he said. But you listened. When he said it. And never heard a word. How easy it is to listen and listen and listen. Never hear a word.

Mass of people go to church and listen, listen, listen. Never hear a word. That's what the Lord Jesus said to the scribes and the Pharisees. Do you remember? He said you listen to everything I say. Never hear a thing.

He is not here. He is risen. As he said. Come said the angel. Come see the place where the Lord lay. Said the angel to the woman. Come with me and I'll show you where he isn't. Because he was crucified.

But he is risen. Then he said I'll tell you where he is. Go quickly. Verse 7. Tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead. And behold he goeth before you into Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo I have told you.

And all I'm telling you. Said the angel is exactly what he told you. Before ever he died. He said the third day he would be risen again from the dead. And he warned you to meet him in Galilee. That was the rendezvous.

And you've missed your appointment. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy. With awe. And great joy. Jesus is alive. And they ran. They ran to bring his disciples word. You can imagine how excited they were.

They just couldn't run fast enough. They wanted to be the very very very first to break the news. The tremendous news. To that bunch of frightened men. Who were huddled together up in the upper room behind closed doors.

They wanted to penetrate the darkness. And banish the gloom. They wanted to burst in and say he's alive. And on the way. Verse nine. As they went to tell the disciples. Behold Jesus met them saying all hail.

And they came and laid him. Held him by the feet. And they worshipped. Because when you leave the place where he was. You'll discover. That he is where he. Is. Well they arrived. They arrived. Raced up the stairs.

The Disciples Doubt the Resurrection

And when Peter James and John and the other disciples. Heard their feet on the stairs. They nearly had a heart attack. They came out with beads of perspiration. Went as white as a sheet. And they added the kitchen dresser to the grand piano.

Against the door. To make absolutely certain that nobody would get in. They looked at each other in dismay. And said they've come. Just exactly what we expected. Those cruel hands that have done him to death.

Are going to do us to death. Bye Peter. It's been nice to know you Thomas. Boys. The women came hammering on the door. And then finally somebody said. It's the women. It's the girls. Quick get them in.

They're after the girls. And so they moved this. They moved the grand piano. And the dresser. And all the other things. And the door. And they pulled them in. One after the other. Slammed the door. Ran back the bolt.

Put back the kitchen table. And everything else. And they said they are for you. And the girls. Boys. They just let loose. They were just so excited. They all started talking at once. That's not unusual.

Generally speaking. They say. Ladies are generally speaking. But on this occasion. They really. They really had something to say. They were just so excited. They said. They said. It's just tremendous.

We went. We went stupid as we went. In spite of all the Lord Jesus told us. Which now the angel has reminded us. We went with the. With the. With the ointment. And with the spices. To embalm his dead body.

It was a bit scary. Because it was an earthquake. And a lot of dead bodies around. The angel was very kind. He said don't be frightened. And he said we know what you're looking for. We know what you're looking for.

Jesus. But. But he's alive. He's alive. And you know. On the way back. We met him. We've actually. We've actually seen him. And then there was a cold sticky silence. Not a smile on the apostles face. You might have imagined.

They'd thrown their hats in the air. And say tremendous. What do you mean. He's really alive. Uh uh. Look at Luke 24. End of verse 5. Why seek ye the living among the dead. Rebuke the angel. He isn't here.

He's risen. Remember how he spake unto you. When he was yet in Galilee. He's risen. But although you listen. You didn't hear. Saying the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men. And be crucified.

And the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. And they returned from the sepulchre. And told all these things unto the eleven. And to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene. And Joanna. And Mary the mother of James.

And the other women that were with them. Which told these things unto the apostles. And their words. Verse 11. Seem to them as utter tales. And they believe them not. If you're women you're hysterical.

You're suffering from hallucinations. We don't blame you. We're all under pressure. We've all had a very very tough time. And if you've cracked under the strain. That's okay. Go home. Take six aspirins.