EASTER SUNDAY
Final Draft, March 23, 2013
Message preached, March 31, 2013
Message preached, March 31, 2013
The smallest piece of faith can carry us through.
We have been following the life of Peter through this Lenten season, mostly from the perspective of Matthew through his gospel. However, the last thing mentioned about Peter in the Gospel of Matthew is right after the Denial.
Matthew 26:75
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
From a character study perspective, that's a terrible way to leave it. However, the center of the story is not Peter, but Jesus. And, we know his outcome. Resurrection. Ascension. Power and Glory.
To know more about Peter we truly have to cover the four gospels to see where his story goes.
So, we go next door to Mark. It is thought that Mark got much of his information for this gospel through first hand account from Peter himself. Either Peter just didn't tell the story the way the others did or didn't want himself to be the center of attention. Not much is said here about Peter near the end of the account, just as in Matthew's gospel.
The last mention of Peter in Mark says the women come to the tomb and find a young man dressed in white sitting there. They are troubled and afraid. He tries to calm them and reassure them and tells them,
From a character study perspective, that's a terrible way to leave it. However, the center of the story is not Peter, but Jesus. And, we know his outcome. Resurrection. Ascension. Power and Glory.
To know more about Peter we truly have to cover the four gospels to see where his story goes.
So, we go next door to Mark. It is thought that Mark got much of his information for this gospel through first hand account from Peter himself. Either Peter just didn't tell the story the way the others did or didn't want himself to be the center of attention. Not much is said here about Peter near the end of the account, just as in Matthew's gospel.
The last mention of Peter in Mark says the women come to the tomb and find a young man dressed in white sitting there. They are troubled and afraid. He tries to calm them and reassure them and tells them,
Mark 16:7
But the scripture states that they are too afraid at this scene they have witnessed to tell anyone.
Now we take a look into Luke's Gospel. It is said that Luke got much of his information from Paul, the Apostle and also from "eyewitness accounts" (Luke1.1). How much did Paul really know about Peter's life and whereabouts? Somebody knew something. Because, There is more to the account of Peter here than in Matthew or Mark. Those women at the end of Mark are said to have been to afraid to tell anybody. Luke's account says they did. They tell the disciples and Peter. Peter is said to have actually gone to the tomb. He looks in. He sees from himself.
Luke 24:12
Notice her words. "We don't know where they have put him!" She wasn't the only one there. (Making Mark's account correlate with John's)
And, now for Peter. What's changed in this man since his brother first came and found him?
Was he skeptical at first those 3 years ago? Maybe so.
This same man who, upon catching a load of fish so big it nearly sank his boat, cries out "Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man."
This same man is now in a foot race with one of his closest friends to make it to the tomb first.
But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
But the scripture states that they are too afraid at this scene they have witnessed to tell anyone.
Now we take a look into Luke's Gospel. It is said that Luke got much of his information from Paul, the Apostle and also from "eyewitness accounts" (Luke1.1). How much did Paul really know about Peter's life and whereabouts? Somebody knew something. Because, There is more to the account of Peter here than in Matthew or Mark. Those women at the end of Mark are said to have been to afraid to tell anybody. Luke's account says they did. They tell the disciples and Peter. Peter is said to have actually gone to the tomb. He looks in. He sees from himself.
Luke 24:12
Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw
the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to
himself what had happened.
And, the perspective of Peter's story, again, that's it.
In the synoptic way these first three gospels make their declaration. We can clearly see what was thought of Peter. A sometimes loud, sometimes gregarious, usually outspoken fellow.
But we need to see some sort of drastic moment and change that happens on this man who has seen and experienced so much. Something climactic. Something definitive.
Now where would we go for something like that? Who could we talk to that would be able to share something like that?
In the synoptic way these first three gospels make their declaration. We can clearly see what was thought of Peter. A sometimes loud, sometimes gregarious, usually outspoken fellow.
But we need to see some sort of drastic moment and change that happens on this man who has seen and experienced so much. Something climactic. Something definitive.
Now where would we go for something like that? Who could we talk to that would be able to share something like that?
How about a friend?
Somebody who would know us better than most people. Somebody who might have a true insight in to how we feel and what we actually thought and said. And, that person would be John.
John, as Mark & Luke, make mention of women making their way to the tomb. In John's case, it is important to make mention of one of these women as Mary Magdalene. She comes first. She sees with her own eyes. She witnesses the moment for herself. And, she has no problem making a beeline to her disciple friends.
Somebody who would know us better than most people. Somebody who might have a true insight in to how we feel and what we actually thought and said. And, that person would be John.
John, as Mark & Luke, make mention of women making their way to the tomb. In John's case, it is important to make mention of one of these women as Mary Magdalene. She comes first. She sees with her own eyes. She witnesses the moment for herself. And, she has no problem making a beeline to her disciple friends.
John 20
New International Version (NIV)
The Empty Tomb
20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.Notice her words. "We don't know where they have put him!" She wasn't the only one there. (Making Mark's account correlate with John's)
And, now for Peter. What's changed in this man since his brother first came and found him?
Was he skeptical at first those 3 years ago? Maybe so.
This same man who, upon catching a load of fish so big it nearly sank his boat, cries out "Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man."
This same man is now in a foot race with one of his closest friends to make it to the tomb first.
The place where Jesus was laid a few days ago.
It says here that the disciple whom Jesus loved (John) makes it there first. However, John is cautious upon reaching the tomb. He doesn't just walk in. He stops to look around first. Peter, on the other hand, seems to be unable to control himself. He either can't wait or has no intentions. Peter rushes in.
What must be going through his mind?
John doesn't mention any dialogue. No words exchanged. I'm going to process this moment as complete silence. Nothing to say. Nothing you can say. These men have laid it all on the line. They have watched as their Savior gave his life, died on a cross, was laid in a tomb and now...
Where is He?
As I read through the John scripture the thing that stood out to me was near the end of this section.
Even if you have never watched an episode of the Simpsons (I never have) I'm sure you have seen enough in the media - a commercial maybe or an advertisement - to know that famous blurt that Homer is known for. DOH!
There are moments when Homer is just trying to be cool and get ahead. All he wants is that doughnut. Or, he's trying to park the car in the garage. Somebody knocks on the front door and gives him news he doesn't like. His boss walks in and call him fat and lazy. His son, Bart, slides by on his skateboard and grabs that thing you were trying to eat. DOH!
Yea, these two men saw and believed. But, this was an unexpected blow. Where is the body? Why isn't he here? What are we going to do now? What do we tell the others? What have I spent the last 3 years doing with my life? DOH!
This is a special Sunday. A day above all other Sundays. A day when I stand here and tell you all that the Savior of the world has risen. All your worries and cares are fixed and everything is better. But, for many, it just isn't. Tomorrow will come and we have no idea what it will bring. We have gathered here in this place, and yes, many of us believe. We believe in this Jesus. We know the name. We have heard the stories. We have sat through the preaching. And, life will come tomorrow in it's big, fat, nasty way and smack us up side the head and leave us blurting out - DOH!
We might wonder what it was all for. How many of us have been to the altar? We have sought for an answer. We need help and hope and peace. As Peter and John are there in that tomb I ask myself, what made them get up and walk out? Why not sit down and cry? Why not, in an exasperated, distressed fit pick the cloths up on that slab, throw 'em, yell real loud, let out a few stifled words of discontent and storm out in a fit of rage?
But, as I mentioned, there is no discourse from John's perspective. No crying. No exasperation. No throwing a fit. No muttered words under the breath. How can this be when the thing they cherished the most had been taken away?
Is there anything Peter might have learned in this moment that would resonate later in his writings?
I might have found just that very thing.
Why did those two men get up and walk out of that tomb?
The gospel record says that they 'saw and believed'.
Peter would write later in his epistle about having living hope. Right now all he has is belief. Enough to get up and walk away. What did Jesus say about faith? Something about a mustard seed? What if we had just enough to grind between our fingers? Just enough to say to this mountain, "Get up and move", and it would be so. That's all those men have when they walk out of that tomb.
A place where the amen is truly interpreted the end. But not this time.
Mary Magdalene would see him first, John's gospel says, not long after Peter & John leave.
Peter would see Jesus soon. But, he seems to know what his readers might be feeling. They have never seen Jesus face to face. Peter might be wondering at that moment if he will ever see Jesus again. In that moment in that tomb, Peter might be feeling abandoned, alone, confused. But, he also believes. And, that's all he has at that moment. To hang on to. To cling to. Enough belief to get up and walk away.
Very soon they would move from their Homer Simpson moment to a V-8 moment.
Remember the old commercial. Slapping the forehead. "Aw man. I could of had a V-8"
John 20
9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
Aw man. We didn't understand, We didn't get it.
Soon they would. Soon things would be clearer.
And, it all begins with leaving a tomb.
It says here that the disciple whom Jesus loved (John) makes it there first. However, John is cautious upon reaching the tomb. He doesn't just walk in. He stops to look around first. Peter, on the other hand, seems to be unable to control himself. He either can't wait or has no intentions. Peter rushes in.
What must be going through his mind?
John doesn't mention any dialogue. No words exchanged. I'm going to process this moment as complete silence. Nothing to say. Nothing you can say. These men have laid it all on the line. They have watched as their Savior gave his life, died on a cross, was laid in a tomb and now...
Where is He?
As I read through the John scripture the thing that stood out to me was near the end of this section.
He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)For some reason the first thing I thought of was Homer Simpson.
Even if you have never watched an episode of the Simpsons (I never have) I'm sure you have seen enough in the media - a commercial maybe or an advertisement - to know that famous blurt that Homer is known for. DOH!
There are moments when Homer is just trying to be cool and get ahead. All he wants is that doughnut. Or, he's trying to park the car in the garage. Somebody knocks on the front door and gives him news he doesn't like. His boss walks in and call him fat and lazy. His son, Bart, slides by on his skateboard and grabs that thing you were trying to eat. DOH!
Yea, these two men saw and believed. But, this was an unexpected blow. Where is the body? Why isn't he here? What are we going to do now? What do we tell the others? What have I spent the last 3 years doing with my life? DOH!
This is a special Sunday. A day above all other Sundays. A day when I stand here and tell you all that the Savior of the world has risen. All your worries and cares are fixed and everything is better. But, for many, it just isn't. Tomorrow will come and we have no idea what it will bring. We have gathered here in this place, and yes, many of us believe. We believe in this Jesus. We know the name. We have heard the stories. We have sat through the preaching. And, life will come tomorrow in it's big, fat, nasty way and smack us up side the head and leave us blurting out - DOH!
We might wonder what it was all for. How many of us have been to the altar? We have sought for an answer. We need help and hope and peace. As Peter and John are there in that tomb I ask myself, what made them get up and walk out? Why not sit down and cry? Why not, in an exasperated, distressed fit pick the cloths up on that slab, throw 'em, yell real loud, let out a few stifled words of discontent and storm out in a fit of rage?
Is there anything Peter might have learned in this moment that would resonate later in his writings?
I might have found just that very thing.
1 Peter 1:3-8
New International Version (NIV)
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,Why did those two men get up and walk out of that tomb?
The gospel record says that they 'saw and believed'.
Peter would write later in his epistle about having living hope. Right now all he has is belief. Enough to get up and walk away. What did Jesus say about faith? Something about a mustard seed? What if we had just enough to grind between our fingers? Just enough to say to this mountain, "Get up and move", and it would be so. That's all those men have when they walk out of that tomb.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,A tomb. A place where death rules supreme. A place where sorrow wins.
A place where the amen is truly interpreted the end. But not this time.
Mary Magdalene would see him first, John's gospel says, not long after Peter & John leave.
Peter would see Jesus soon. But, he seems to know what his readers might be feeling. They have never seen Jesus face to face. Peter might be wondering at that moment if he will ever see Jesus again. In that moment in that tomb, Peter might be feeling abandoned, alone, confused. But, he also believes. And, that's all he has at that moment. To hang on to. To cling to. Enough belief to get up and walk away.
Very soon they would move from their Homer Simpson moment to a V-8 moment.
Remember the old commercial. Slapping the forehead. "Aw man. I could of had a V-8"
John 20
9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
Aw man. We didn't understand, We didn't get it.
Soon they would. Soon things would be clearer.
And, it all begins with leaving a tomb.
