Easter Day 2006:  Luke 24: 35-49

When the terrorist attack was made on the World Trade Centre in New York, many people later admitted that at first they could not believe what they were told. It seemed too incredible that such an atrocity had taken place. Even when we saw the actual pictures on our television screens it was hard not to think it was a dreadful scene from another disaster movie. The reality shook our security to the core, for weeks and months to come. That is the distress we now describe as ‘post-traumatic stress disorder’.

The world of the disciples had been shattered by the arrest, torture, trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus. That he had predicted it all didn’t make it any easier to bear. Often word of mouth information doesn't carry the same conviction as seeing the evidence with our eyes. As on Good Friday, so also on the first Easter Day.

The story Mary Magdalene had told the Apostles seemed too much like wishful thinking. Although it eventually became clear that the tomb was empty, there seemed an absence of proof. Then as Cleopas and his friend rushed in with their news from their encounter on the road to Emmaus (and we can imagine the confusion and babble that caused) there was Jesus himself standing among them.  Suddenly, face to face, they experienced what had until that moment been hearsay.  Here was hope being turned into reality. These verses tell us at least three things about Jesus.

1. The Presence of Christ: He is here (Luke 24:36)

"While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them.  What an opportunity, no more talking, no more speculating, no more invention, "now we'll get some answers"... 

There must have been in their hearts and minds such eagerness, such excitement, such joy but no. (read 24:37).  These very men who'd proclaimed "It is true, the Lord has risen" were startled and frightened. The very ones who had the promises of Jesus himself, had the testimony of their own friends, who had nothing to fear, were startled and frightened. Jesus himself stood among them.

And they were awe struck.  He really was with them, he was alive, not in their imaginations, but really there. The disciples initially thought they saw a ghost! It seemed incredible to them that their friend and teacher who they knew had been crucified, had died and was buried, could have come back to life. It was one thing to be told that the tomb was empty, quite another to actually touch his hands, and to see Jesus eat food from their own table. But that is what he did, intentionally to banish all doubt and uncertainty. Jesus even raises the question himself since he knows what they are thinking. 

Jesus truly is both human and divine. So convinced were the Apostles by these numerous encounters, over a period of 40 days, witnessed, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, by more than 500 people on one occasion, they literally died for Him. How could they worship other god’s or deny what they had seen and heard, felt and touched. Jesus was alive. This is the heart of the Christian faith - which makes the challenge of following Jesus both compelling and unique.  And he is here now as real as he was then, although now unseen. Do you believe it. ? I wonder how many of our church activities would continue if Jesus was absent ? Its easy to breeze into our services, into our worship, even into our meals without acknowledging the literal presence of the risen Lord, not simply in our imagination, but really present, by His Spirit.  The Presence of Christ.  He is Here.

2. The Peace of Christ: He is in Control (Luke 24:36)

Jesus came to them and said "Peace be with you"

This was addressed to the eleven who had deserted him, who had disowned him, denied him only three days before. But notice there is not a word of rebuke, not a single sharp word from Jesus. Calmly and quietly he appears in their midst, and begins by speaking of peace. He was far more willing to forgive than they were to be forgiven.  In those four words we see in his almighty heart an infinite willingness to forgive. When some Catholics are taught to pray to Mary because Jesus is severe but Mary is merciful, it is a travesty. Where is the sinner, however great his sin, who need be afraid of the presence of the Saviour?

Where is the backslider how ever far he may have fallen who need be afraid of returning. “Peace be with you” said Jesus. Perhaps these are the four words you need to hear this morning. “Peace be with you” Are you afraid? Fearful? Anxious? Worried? Nervous? Shaken? Traumatised? Depressed? Then listen to these words of assurance. “Peace be with you.”

The Presence of Christ - He is here

The Peace of Christ - He's in control

3. The Proof of Christ: He is to be shared (Luke 24:37-49)

They were terrified at his presence, so he invited them to look at his hands and feet. They were not sure whether seeing is believing.  As they doubted their very own eyes, Jesus invites them to examine his hands and feet.  You may have heard of the man who went to his doctor because he thought he was dead. His doctor tried in vain to convince him that he was alive. All attempts failed, till at last the doctor got the man to agree that blood only flows when the heart is pumping, when a person is alive. They both agreed, so the doctor pricked the man’s arm and blood trickled out. The man gasped, "Its true, dead men do bleed!" 

Jesus invited them to see, to touch, but still they could not believe it out of joy and amazement....their mouths were wide open...their eyes blinking, their heads reeling, so Jesus offered to perform an experiment. Read Luke 24: 41-42. He challenged them to use their minds, to think logically, rationally. Faith is not contradicted by reason, as long as reason is open and responds to the facts. Jesus invited them to use their senses to test a fact, to see the reasonableness of trusting Him. Oh, that piece of broiled fish. The church is choking on it yet. This resurrection account was not included to substantiate the disciple’s naive and idealistic faith in a risen and living Lord.

Many in China today believes that Mao lives, many in India live as if Buddah were alive. That is not what we mean by having faith in a risen Christ. These words of Jesus were spoken to blow the shallow faith of those disciples apart, to repudiate it, to replace it.  To replace it with a realistic conviction and a belief founded on reality.  The answer to our liberal heretical friends is that small piece of broiled fish. For that realistic conviction, that absolute certainty, that actual belief, had a piece of broiled fish as its midwife. Only after that piece of broiled fish could they truly proclaim "The Lord is risen!" Having eaten the fish Jesus reminded them how this had all been told long ago in the Scriptures.  Read Luke 24:44-45. He began by reminding them of :

The Promise of the Gospel  (24:44)

There are three parts to the Old Testament.  The Law, the Psalms and the Prophets. In the Law of Moses, Jesus is was prefigured both by the high priest and the offering of the sacrificial lamb as a ransom sacrifice. In the Psalms we have seen how the crucifixion of Jesus was graphically pictured. In the Prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Micah, we have a minute and accurate timetable of predictions which came true in Jesus. Isaiah, for example, predicted the coming of Jesus would be unmistakable - all would see. It would be universal - it was for all the world. It would be unconditional - Jesus has accomplished what we cannot do for ourselves. The Promise of the Gospel.

The Content of the Gospel  (24:46-47)

"Christ should suffer and rise from the dead." That is the heart of the Gospel. Not Christmas, not Harvest, not even Pentecost but Calvary. "and repentance and forgiveness of sins shall be preached in his name.” This is how we come to know Him.

The Scope of the Gospel (24:47)

"All nations" None are excluded. This good news is for all.

The Delivery of the Gospel (24:48-49)

"You are my witnesses". The disciples who had encountered the risen Jesus were now his witnesses.  We are His witnesses today. This good news is too good not to be shared. If you have doubts then take these words of Jesus to heart. "Peace be with you." The disciples were, at first, startled and terrified when Jesus appeared among them.  He understood their fears and doubts, and put them at rest by his words and by his actions. He gives us the confidence to make him known in his risen power.  

The Presence of the Lord Jesus : He is here

The Peace of the Lord Jesus : He's in control
The Proof of the Lord Jesus : He's to be shared

Jesus says to us as he said to his Apostles, “My peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. I am with you always.” Amen.