Sermon: Because of Love

Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 4 April 2010

Text: John 20:1- ; 21:19-31; 1 Cor. 15:3-8

Easter was God … loving you!

The bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a central pillar of the Christian faith. The fundamental question upon which Christianity ultimately rests is, “Did Jesus Christ actually, literally, and physically, rise from the dead?”Everything hangs on that question. There is a whole chorus of voices from the 1st century that say loudly and clearly, “Yes, He did rise from the dead. We saw Him; we talked with Him; we handled Him.” (1 Jn 1:1). The resurrection of Jesus is supported by the most powerful line of evidence that we human beings know anything about. It is direct, unquestionable eyewitness evidence, the kind that is employed in every courtroom.

In 1 Cor. 15:3-8 Paul records 513 men as having seen the risen Lord.

But in John 20-21, the apostle John mentions only four post Resurrection appearances of the Risen Jesus. So what is so special about these stories? I would like to suggest that JESUS appeared to the three individuals here BECAUSE OF LOVE….

1. GRIEVING MARY (John 20:11-18).

Who is the first witness of Jesus’ resurrection? – a woman named Mary Magdalene. God is always doing this. God does very large things in very small ways.

Mary loved her savior greatly. She was grieving and this was overcome by hearing the voice of Jesus. Jesus shows himself to Mary because of love.

The world may call you the Least, the Last and the Lost – but Jesus calls you “friend!”

2. DOUBTING THOMAS (John 20:19-23)

Jesus shows himself to Thomas, not to prove him wrong, but to help him believe. He shows himself to Thomas because he loves him. And Thomas said, “My Lord and My God!”

3.  STUMBLING PETER (John 21:14-19).

We have one account of a long private conversation between the resurrected Jesus and Peter.

Jesus appeared to Peter. Why? Because of Love. Does he come back to rub Peter’s nose it – his failure his denial, his cowardice? No he returns to love him, forgive him and reinstate him.

When others would criticize us, when our weakness and failures make us question our faith, when our adversaries seem to have gotten the victory, when our conscience has beaten us and shamed us, Jesus is hanging around to let us know that he loves us just the same. Regardless of your broken promises he loves you just the same. Regardless of your shattered determination he still claims you as his own. He does forget, he does forgive, he does allow us to start all over again and walk in the newness of life.

Conclusion

Jesus deals with each person’s needs differently. He treats us as individuals
Mary simply needed to hear Jesus’ voice and her grief was healed.
Thomas needed to see the Risen Christ and he was strengthened in faith.
Peter needed to know he’s forgiven.

Each of us has different needs – we all ask different questions – but there is only one solution – a touch from the risen Lord.

40 days post-resurrection appearances of Jesus.  Jesus doesn’t return to gloat over his enemies, he returns to Love his friends, and those who would become his friends. Jesus rose because He loves you. That’s what Easter is all about – God loving you.

We Are Easter People
When Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples became Easter People. When we believed their accounts and accepted Christ as our Savior based on Him dying for our sins and rising from the dead, we became Easter People. You are an Easter Person! Easter People have a reason to praise God, even in the midst of all of their circumstances. Yes there are grief and pain that we will experience; troubles we will have; days filled with doubt; and times when there is darkness all around us. But through it all, we are Easter People.