Specifically, I was honored to preach our special Easter Sunrise Service.
(I also happened to have a fresh cold! Sorry about the coughing.)
As usual, these are my rough notes below.
CND Sunrise Service – April 9, 2023
Let’s test this: “He is risen!” [“He is risen, indeed!”] [Prayer]
But what about that first Easter? How did the first followers of Jesus react?
First, let’s look back at a few days earlier. Where was Peter? Here is the man who said he would never abandon Jesus, even if he had to die. Yet, we know that he ran away with the others when Jesus was arrested. Sure, in John 19 for example, he came back during the “trial” of Jesus, but he tried to stay at a distance, and then he called down curses on himself as he claimed to not know who Jesus is. This was one of the most faithful followers of Jesus, right?
Where was John? We know he ran away at the arrest, but John 19 also tells us that John may have stayed for the trial with the high priest. It is not clear if this was John, but the way he usually talks about himself as “another disciple” and “the disciple whom Jesus loved” implies it could have been him. We also see he came to the crucifixion.
John 19:25-27, ESV but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
John saw Jesus on the cross, but where was he Sunday morning? Hiding with the other disciples. All of the disciples hid in a locked room (John 20:19) But who is not staying put, during the crucifixion and on that first Easter morning?
John 20:1, 11-18 [v. 1] Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
We know Mary Magdalene was accompanied by Mary (James and Jesus’ mom) and Salome (James and John’s mom). Arguably, these three women were truly faithful, but why would these Mary’s be there? Jesus’ mom makes sense. She’s His mom and definitely had her life changed by His birth and life. Back to reading, in verse 11:
[vv. 11-15] But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Here is a woman weeping at the tomb of Jesus, and even doesn’t notice the hint of angels being present. She didn’t even notice Jesus as Jesus, thinking He was just the gardener near the tomb.
Here is a woman that Luke 8:2 and a few other places remind us had seven demons cast out of her. She may or may not have been a prostitute (Scripture is not clear on this), but at the very least she had seven demons cast out of her.
Here is a woman who had her life drastically changed by Jesus, making it possible for her to live a normal life after only-God-knows how long under demonic oppression and societal rejection.
Why was Mary Magdalene at the crucifixion and the first to the resurrection while the men all hid?
Because Jesus had touched her with His healing power, making her whole and clean again. The men did not. She was shunned, while they could move about freely (though some like Matthew/Levi did have minor obstacles).
Mary was changed from the inside out.
And in all of their grief, they all still missed Jesus.
Our grief can blind us to God. Our own self-righteousness can blind us to God. Our successes and failures can blind us to God.
It is only when God is with us and touches us with His healing and grace and we hear Him calling us by name can we see Him working.
[vv. 16-18] Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Have you let Jesus change your life? It is His death and resurrection that has brought us change. It is nearly impossible to see it until we are open to hearing His voice. And when we do, it is tempting to sit and cling to that initial feeling, but He has given us the charge to tell others that He is has saved us.
And He is risen.
Let go of your pain, your grief, your self-righteousness, your works by hearing the voice of our risen Lord.
He is risen!
And He has changed us with His power and healed us of our emotional and spiritual wounds by taking them on Himself.
And He has removed our fear and given us hope through His resurrection.
It is an end-of-the-year message, that deals with Christmas, our past, our present, and moving toward the future.
As usual, here are my notes. Remember that I do not necessarily stick strictly to the notes.
Going Forward
John 21:15-22
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
A Christmas Carol
One of my favorite stories of all time (after the Bible) is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.Every year we watch through many iterations, and I make sure to re-read the short story.
It is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man whose business partner has been dead for years, his estranged nephew still tries to invite him over for Christmas, but Christmas and everything about it is “humbug.”
Is it strange that I like a story about a man who talks with charity collectors about the poor going to work in workhouses or in prison? That when prompted with “many would rather die,” ol’ Scrooge replies, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Why do I love this story so?
Because, Scrooge is visited by three spirits – the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet-To-Come – who remind him of his more jolly past, how he has affected people in his present, and the future he faces if he does not change. And they do it all in a single night, before the morning of Christmas.At the end, he pleads with the final spirit: “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year!”And what about after that? “And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well.”
But Christmas has passed for us. What is Christmas about?
Jesus!
We know that Jesus came into the world, and we celebrate His first coming at Christmas time.
And how much like Scrooge can we be? How much do we focus on our wants and needs in this life without looking after those around us? Hating others and wanting what they have rather than wanting the best for them?
Where else do we see such pettiness?
Peter
In our passage, we see a man talking with His Lord who is no mere spirit or ghost. This is Jesus who barely a month earlier was crucified for our sins, yet He is alive!
And what does Jesus have to say to Peter?
Do you love me?
Do you love me?
Do you love me?
Why does Jesus ask Peter this three times?
We remember before the crucifixion that it was Peter who denied His Lord three times:
I am not His disciple.
I don’t know the Man!
I don’t know what you’re talking about!
Here is a man who was more concerned for his own well being than actively looking after his friend.
So, since Peter denied Him three times, Jesus asks three times to reinstate him, “Do you love me?”
What is love?
But notice that Peter is hurt by the third asking. Why?
First, Jesus asks, “Simon” – not Peter, for he lost that right by denying the truth he proclaimed earlier – “Simon, son of John, do you agape me …” Does Simon love Jesus enough to sacrifice everything for Him?
Remember that this is the Simon who said in John 13:37 “I will lay down my life for you.” Or in Mark 14:29 “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” Both instances we read of Jesus telling him he would deny him and fall away.
And he did. But Jesus’ question finishes, “Do you agape me more than these?”
Is Jesus asking “Do you love me more than your possessions?” Possibly, but I don’t think so.
Is Jesus asking “Do you love me more than you love these other people?” More probable, but I think it goes deeper.
“Do you love me more than these others love me?” This is essentially the claim Simon Peter had made before.
In truth, it is a combination of all three implied meanings, but most importantly, “Do you love me more than anything and anyone so that no one can tear you out of my hand?”
“Then feed my sheep.” Give them the nourishment of the Bread of Life, the Word of God.
But a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you agape me?”
Both of these times, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He knows that Jesus can see into our hearts. Jesus stops comparing Simon to others in the second question, bringing it squarely home.
“Then tend my sheep.” Help the others grow closer to me, defend them from hunger and thirst and false teachings and fear of the world.
Yet Simon has been saying, “Yes, Lord”. He acknowledges that he loves Jesus unconditionally, but he finishes with “you know that I phileo you.” You know that I love you like a friend.
And then the third question. “Simon, son of John …” not agape, not will you sacrifice and obey, but “do you phileo me?”
Why is Simon Peter grieved? The questions go from, “do you love me so much it hurts, that you will do anything for me,” to “Simon, are you my friend?”
Imagine what it sounds like: “Are you sure you’re my friend? Do you really love me as your friend?”
And how does it play out?
“You know everything. You know I love you like a friend.”
“Then YOU follow me. Act like a grown up, because you will have times that you will be treated like a child.” And Jesus alludes to Peter’s death.
And Simon holds on just a moment longer as the child: “But what about him? Why don’t you ask that disciple the same questions? How is he gonna die?”
“I. Said. Follow. Me. Stop worrying about others. Follow me. As I feed and tend to my sheep.”
What about us?
What does it all mean for us.
Firstly, to deal with any possible rumors, yes, A Christmas Carol is one of my all-time favorite stories, even though Scrooge meets his long-dead business partner. Even though the only time we see that sort of thing in the Bible is when a wicked king (Saul) seeks a witch to talk to his dead friend (who rebukes him. It really was a Christmas-Carol-esque story.)
For the sake of the story, I am okay with some wiggle-room of what is okay. Especially if you read a recent sequel, Jacob T. Marley, that shows a “why” the dead business partner returns. And for the Spirits of Christmases, we could easily argue they are ministering spirits, a.k.a. angels.
But like Scrooge, Peter was one who turned from those he loved. Like Peter, we often do our own thing to avoid pain.
Like Scrooge, Peter had to confront his past, all of the hurts, the boasts, the selfishness, and the loss.
Maybe 2021 has been a hard year for you. Follow Jesus. It won’t necessarily make all the pain go away, but Jesus can lead you through and out of the pain. Maybe 2021 was great for you. Follow Jesus. You might lose everything you’ve gained, you might keep it all, but your focus should be on the one who gave up everything to save you. Maybe you made mistakes, lied about things, turned on your loved ones. Maybe you’ve denied your Savior. Follow Jesus. The only faithful one.
Like Scrooge, Peter had to confront his present.
Maybe you’re finishing 2021 holding on to your past. Follow Jesus. Maybe you’re currently struggling with something. Follow Jesus. Let Him tend to your needs. Trust others to tend to your needs as they are following Jesus. Tend to others as you follow Jesus. Follow Jesus, now. Don’t wait. Follow Jesus. Now.
Like Scrooge, Peter had to face the future and his death.
And it is scary. Maybe you’re afraid of what 2022 holds. Maybe the finances of this year mean next year will be tough. Maybe you wonder where this church will be meeting next month. Maybe those in power in the government have you worried for one reason or another. Follow Jesus. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Don’t worry about their walk with Jesus or lack thereof. Don’t ignore others or the happenings in this world, but don’t worry. Just follow Jesus for yourself. Trust Him. He is the God who saves, the One who holds all things together. It may not be easy in this life, but we know we can trust in the One who is guiding history and has overcome death and the grave.
Go Forward
In Christ.
What does it look like to keep Christmas in your heart all the year, and keep it well, like the renewed Ebenezer Scrooge?
It is seeking the Kingdom of God first.
We realize our need to read and memorize Scripture. We seek to live out the commands to love God and love others, as Christ lives in us by His Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father.
It is seeking the Bread of Life.We realize our need for spiritual nourishment through Bible study and encouraging each other to become more Christ-like.
Taken outside the church just before preaching!
It is bowing before Immanuel – God with us.
We realize The Father sent the Son to cleanse us and restore us, and they sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us until Christ’s return. We acknowledge His authority and power.
And we follow.
We don’t get stuck in the same old rut or in our past mistakes and sins or in our worries and concerns or our own lusts and wants or in our own glory. We go forward toward the future glory that awaits us in Christ Jesus, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,” pressing on “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
The true Spirit of Christmas is the same Spirit that overshadowed a young woman to bring forth a Savior; a Savior who would die for our sins and rose again; a Savior who is one day returning to make all things new.
And He is with us always until He comes.
Like Scrooge – like Peter – we seek to spread the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control of the Spirit of Christ who indwells us. (Galatians 5:22-23)
All through the year.
So go forward. Follow Jesus.
Prayer
Our gracious heavenly Father, You who has been denied by us through our actions, our words, and our thoughts; You who have been pushed away by our own sinful desires, we praise you and worship you.
You could have left us in our misery. You could have wiped us out, like with the Flood. Instead, You became one of us.
We were stuck wallowing in our past, unable and unwilling to let go of the hurts, the glories of youth, the fame, and the fear.
We were stuck wallowing in our current pains and fears, our own glories and strengths, unwilling to help our neighbors, either because we felt we lacked the ability or because they deserve what they get or because “they should help themselves.”
We were stuck wallowing in our future, afraid of what may come or hoping for what we cannot get for ourselves or think we can get for ourselves.
You could have left us in our misery or removed far more than the surplus population.
But You came to us.
We praise you, because we could not get to You, but You made a way for us. We deserved death, but you offered us life. We have feared the world and death more than we feared You, and we confess it to you now.
Because You see our past, You change us in the present, and You give us a hope for the future, through Your Son – The Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Help us to seek You every moment of everyday. Help us to help each other seek You and grow in You everyday. Help us to become more loving and kind – more like Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit.
I am doing a short series! We are going through some of the sayings
of Jesus that can be … confusing … difficult … misapplied … whatever!
What does this mean? I will look at passages that I have personally
heard misapplied, misunderstood, or simply confusion expressed over what
Jesus meant.
Now, what is our next passage? (Maybe you already have an idea based on the title.)
Two swords? What about peace?
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” Luke 22:35-38, ESV
Okay. What’s up here? Was it not Jesus who said we should avoid violence, turning the other cheek and whatnot?
Perhaps now you see why some people struggle with understanding the Bible. Maybe you are one of those people.
What was Mr. Peace-Nick Godman getting at?
Firstly, let us remember Jesus’ own words:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
It would be very easy to take this out of context, so how about we take a look at that context to understand better what Jesus meant about bringing a sword:
“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.“ Matthew 10:32-39, ESV
So, we know that Jesus will divide families, friends, and communities, but this is definitely a figurative sword. We are to love God so much that it is as of we hate our family and friends in comparison. (But we love them all the more through God’s love!)
Perhaps we need to keep in mind that we are to defend the weak and defenseless. This is perhaps the most applicable literal sense of having a sword. Sure, self-defense may be a part of it, too, but probably defending others is more accurate.
We also need to consider the other meaning Jesus may have had:
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God Ephesians 6:17
We know that the Word of God is often referenced as a sword (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16, 2:12, 19:15), so this definitely far from being outside of the realm of possibility.
However, we also must remember what He said in Luke 22:37 above, that the scripture must be fulfilled that He was numbered with the transgressors.
Obviously, this points to being hung on a cross between two criminals, but I offer one other possibility (from Jesus’ arrest):
And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant[h] of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:49-53, ESV
You can probably imagine the Apostles’ thoughts: “He said have swords, so now that He is about to be arrested, is this the time He finally overthrows the leaders and takes control?”
But Jesus also hints that at this moment it appears He is already being considered counted among transgressors, as a conquering king raising an insurrection. It is made more likely an assertion with Peter striking Malchus’ ear off. (See John 18:10)
I would even argue that all of these are the reasons Jesus said to get a sword to the Twelve (well … Eleven).
Jesus must be numbered as one guilty of raising a rebellion.
I preached again! I liked it. Like, wept some, got goosebumps some, enjoyed preaching it … a lot.
Please enjoy listening (click here if it does not work just below), and see my rough notes for all scripture references and basic thoughts. I am reading from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.
(Parallel passages: Matthew 26:47-57; Mark 14:43-53; Luke 22:47-54) Intro:
Read 18:1-2
Jesus spoke other words than the High Priestly Prayer: Luke 22 – “Sell cloak, get sword” “Here are 2”
Regularly with His disciples (Luke 21:37: He rested/slept out here): This time, this is where we read in other Gospels about Jesus’ 3 prayers “Let this cup [of suffering] pass from me, but Your will be done.”
Read 18:3
We know they were not just soldiers, but guards from the Temple, sent by the leadership. Probably a mixture of Jewish and Roman soldiers. Probably up to 200 people! It was a major feast (Passover), so there would be extra soldiers to help keep the peace.
Read 18:4-8a
Why they fell back:
“Ego eimi” – “I am.”
Could also be how unafraid He seemed of them, possibly tripped over themselves/each other.
Read 18:8-11
Remember the swords?
Disciples still expecting a revolution. Is this FINALLY the time?
Will Jesus actually call His heavenly army?
Matthew 26:52-56 (2 Kings 6:8-23)
Go back to v. 9:
His prayer last chapter: 17:12
Some try to teach this fulfills John 10:29, but Jesus was speaking to the leaders about ANYONE who believes in Him.
It makes me think (NO OTHER EVIDENCE!) Malchus became a Christian
Read 18:12-14
Jesus bound: hearkens back to Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22).
Isaac was not stupid. He knew he was going to be the sacrifice, but he trusted his father who trusted THE Father.
Now, Jesus willingly goes to sacrifice. (Without a ram substitute!)
Why Annas?
High Priest usually serves until death, but Romans only allowed terms
He held sway even not being “in power” anymore
His sons and son-in-law took turns over the years, hence “that year”
Is he legitimate? He was installed by Romans
This helps us see why the disciples were willing to fight the Temple authorities
Caiaphas was deceived, but he essentially prophesied the truth!
What does this all mean for us?
We must know that Jesus is God. (vv. 5-8)
20:31
We must know He died for us. (v. 14)
We do not defend Christ.
He suffered, and so shall we
Matthew 10, Mark 13, and Luke 12, Jesus says His followers will be led before others to testify
16:33
His truth defends itself, but we are often His instrument.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!
a simple man of God 