April 30, 2006 Luke 24:36-49
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (NIV)
1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." In this verse the Holy Spirit seems to be encouraging us not to be afraid of anything - especially Himself - because He is a God of love. How do I accomplish this perfect love? That is the key. In order to remove my fear of God - I would have to only concentrate on the Gospel - God's love and forgiveness. I also have to ignore what God's law says about my sin and my ongoing guilt and act as if it didn't exist. This Robert Schuller approach ignores what Paul says about the problem with the world - which doesn't seek God. He says in Romans 3:18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." As Christians we are put in a strange position. One verse says that the only way to perfect love is to have no fear of God, while another verse says that if we don't fear God we show ourselves to be unbelievers. In addressing this problem - we have to understand a key concept which Luther brought out so clearly - Christians are simul iustus et peccator - simultaneously sinners and justified saints. As long as we have sin - we will have fear. It's not until we die that the fear will be gone.
The reason I bring this up is because after the resurrection - we still find the disciples huddled behind closed doors - still living in fear. Did they have reason to be afraid? No. Not really. The God of the heavens and earth was in control. He could protect them if He wanted to. Yet their sinful flesh didn't want the stripes and the scorn that their Savior had faced. They weren't used to operating without Jesus by their side - holding their hands - so to speak. We also live in the aftermath of knowing that Jesus is risen from the dead. Yet that doesn't mean that we don't fear things. We fear death. We fear rejection. We fear the devil. We fear our own flesh. There are still plenty of things to be afraid of. We see this from today's text.
Easter is Still Full of Fear
I. The risen Christ still scares us
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. The disciples were talking about the appearance of Jesus to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. At this point, Jesus had already appeared to Mary, Mary Magdalene, and some other women; to Peter, and also to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. This all happened on Easter Sunday. Now the disciples were all gathered together, and they were "talking about this." I would love to have had an ear in that room - listening to what they were saying. Imagine the discussion they were having with the two disciples for instance. "Are you sure it was Jesus? How come you didn't recognize him right away? How did he just disappear? Are you sure it was really him, and not just a ghost or an apparition?" The same questions could have been addressed to Peter and the women. How could Jesus have appeared to all of them in such different places and at different times? How did He get there? Could it really have been Jesus? Yet Mary Magdalene very clearly held onto Jesus and touched him. So they were discussing the issue.
As a side note, I find this rather comical - in a sad kind of way. Really, there shouldn't have been anything to talk about. Jesus had clearly appeared to different disciples at different times and at different places. They saw it and testified to it. Either you believe it or you don't. Talking about it really wouldn't change what they saw. But by talking about it - they were trying to reason it all out in their minds - to FIGURE out what REALLY HAPPENED. The more they tried to reason it out, the more they seem to have come to a conclusion that this really maybe wasn't Jesus - but just some sort of an apparition. The only other time this kind of thing is mentioned in the Gospels is when Jesus was walking on water. At that time, Jesus proved that He wasn't a ghost. So I don't know whether people were afraid of ghosts much or not back then - but it seems to have come to mind in thee disciples pretty quickly at two times. They were willing to believe anything but the seemingly most logical conclusion - that Jesus really rose from the dead.
It's sadly comical that Christianity is still permeated with ghost chasers yet today. These are people that like to turn every doctrine of faith - a hard and fast statement of fact - into the appearance of a ghost. The "Jesus Seminar" of past years has been trying to find the "real Jesus" - who they believe really did die and whose body was actually stolen and buried somewhere else. They try to determine what Jesus "really did," separating fact from fiction. Just recently a scientist figured out that Jesus was actually walking on a sheet of ice slightly underneath the water at the Sea of Galilee. They also ask, "is hell really real, or was this just the thoughts of Jesus' time?" They will make up any theory - talk any miracle away - because it just doesn't fit into reason. Instead of believing in the testimony of the Word - they have to reason it out.
It shows you where our reason can lead us. You know what God's Word says about slander. You know what it says about lust. You know what it says about your giving. There's nothing to really talk about. It's quite plain. Yet, in the face of guilt and possible sin - you say, "let's talk about this. Why is it sinful?" We want to talk about it - so that we can find a loophole around it - a way to convince ourselves that it really isn't what it is. The sad thing is that this is even done with the most comforting gospel passages of the Bible. Yes, Jesus died for you. He promises you forgiveness - but let's talk about this. Is it REALLY an unconditional forgiveness? Is it REALLY for everyone? Or do you have to ask for it? Don't you have to at least do something to earn it - to prove to God that you are worthy of it? That's too easy - to be saved merely through repentance and faith. There has to be more! Does God really say that He is actually HERE with us? Is Jesus really in the Lord's Supper? Is there really forgiveness offered and given in baptism and the Lord's Supper? Or is this just metaphorical? Reason can't accept an obvious Biblical truth. So it tries to reason itself out of it. Jesus can't really be raised from the dead. It's impossible. Reason can't expect miracles from God.
So what happens when Jesus does appear to the disciples? They were startled and frightened. It might seem logical to fear death or hell or the devil. Yet today's text shows fear coming from a very odd source. Instead of being comforted and happy to see Jesus, they were afraid of Him. So what does Jesus do? He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. By having them physically touch him - and eating fish in their presence - evenn though He didn't need it - Jesus showed them that He was not just a ghost - a vision of their brains. He was a physical reality. He was real. He really did rise from the dead. This actually did happen. It was a physical reality.
Isn't this a reason why Jesus gave us the Lord's Supper. In this one instance, God hides Himself under the bread and wine and presents Himself to us in a physical way. With this He is saying to us, "I do exist. I did die. I rose from the dead. And now, as you eat this bread and wine, you are also tasting my actual body and blood, which was crucified - but now is raised from the dead." You see, Christianity isn't just about concepts. It's not just a religion of speech - at least it's not supposed to be. It's a religion of realities. It is given to us in the realm of history - a real and living history that lives and breathes and acts. As we live without the ten plagues or the risen Christ popping into the middle of our church, we need to keep this in mind. Christianity is not just concepts. There is a real and physical heaven. There is a real and physical Christ. Angels are real beings. Our bodies will actually be physically raised from the dead. The Holy Spirit really does actually live in you and give you the ability to believe and talk about Jesus. He isn't just a concept. He is a reality. When we forget the reality of God - that's when we let fear creep in. All we see is the danger. All we feel is the temptation. We wonder to ourselves, "where is God? Is he REALLY here? Or is this just a man made philosophy made to make us feel good?" The resurrection appearance to the disciples assures us - this Christianity is the real deal. Angels do exist. Jesus really is alive. There will be a Judgment Day. God is not dead. He really does rule this universe - even if you don't eat fish with Him tonight. It's not something to be afraid of.
II. The speaking Christ still comforts us in our fear
Nonetheless, the disciples were afraid. They weren't expecting this resurrection stuff. All they thought was that Jesus was going to establish a physical kingdom - none of this raising from the dead and heavenly kingdom stuff! When confronted with how powerful Christ really was and who He really was - they were scared. So what does the physical Christ do to calm them down? He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. Jesus reminded them - with His words - what He had spoken while He was with them. Notice what Luke then says - HE OPENED THEIR MINDS SO THEY COULD UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES! Isn't this a key thing! When the disciples tried to talk about it - to open their own minds - they came to the conclusion Jesus must have just been a ghost. They couldn't get it by their own reason and strength. They needed Jesus to open their minds with the Scriptures - so they could see with their minds what the Scriptures were saying all along. Jesus said to them, "I had to die and rise from the dead on the third day. This was what I predicted I would do. This is what God's Word said I would do."
As we sit behind our closed doors - living in fear - let these words speak to you. Stop trying to figure out the Word - and just listen to what it says. God may not do what you expected Him to do - allowing death or pain to enter your life. In spite of this, He is still the Christ. He was anointed to die and rise from the dead - to play the part of the Living Priest before God Almighty. Jesus said, "I fulfilled that role. Your sins have been paid for. God accepted my sacrifice. There is really nothing to fear. I am here. I have been raised." Only the word of God can open our minds to the truth - Jesus lives - and He rules over the heaven and the earth. Even if our church is sued and we are closed down by the government, we will still end up in heaven - a real heaven. Even though your cancer is very real - and it may take your physical life - Jesus will give you a future physical life. Touch Him and see Him eat. He is your proof! As we take the Lord's Supper - it's not the physical presence of Christ that gives us all the comfort - but the words attached to His body and blood - given and shed for you - that comforts us. It's not only the physical water of baptism that cleanses us - but the promise of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit connected with the water that comforts us. Our fears are taken away by the same thing that comforted the disciples two thousand years ago - and that is the Word of God.
III. The promise of Christ emboldens us in the midst of fear
It was time for the disciples to face their fears - to get out from behind closed doors, and start doing some ministry. Jesus told them, "repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Notice that Jesus didn't say, "repentance and forgiveness might be preached - or could be preached." Jesus said it "will be preached - beginning at Jerusalem." The disciples had witnessed the death and resurrection of Him. If they didn't witness it, someone else would. It was a daunting task to get out from behind closed doors and face the hostile crowds. The promise of Jesus was - "you are not going alone. You will be clothed with power from on high. Just stay in Jerusalem and wait."
I find it incredible to see how God continually works. Here he sees his children - still showing some fear at the whole concept of this kingdom - that the disciples just weren't ready for. They wanted to follow Christ - they didn't want to be put in the limelight with the ball in their hands. They wanted Jesus to physically lead them straight into a kingdom. This was all so frightening for them. So Jesus just said to them, "go to Jerusalem and wait. I will cloth you with power from on high." It reminds me of a child who is afraid to go outside because it's cold out. So you say, "go down by the door and wait for me. I'll put plenty of clothes on you so you'll be nice and warm." God would do all possibly to equip His disciples for the commission ahead of them. It doesn't mean that they didn't have any fear or any reason to fear - but the promise of power was meant to assure them in the midst of their fear. As we will see, this all came true at Pentecost and the giving of the Holy Spirit from on high.
Doesn't this show us how unbelievably gracious our LORD is? He didn't want His disciples to remain in fear. Yet the risen Christ also understood that they were weak sinners. Instead of chastising them for their weakness, He over came it - with His physical and spiritual proof the He had risen from the dead. Not only did He do this, but He also promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit who would help them fulfill a new commission - to preach repentance and forgiveness. You see how our Lord works? He sees us - weak and sinful Christians - afraid of messing up - feeling unworthy of our commissions - that we can perform God pleasing duties as husbands, wives, and children. He sees how we fear messing up - how guilty we feel. So He comes into our closed doors - and clothes us with the Holy Spirit - fills us with the promises of forgiveness and heaven - and enables us to live new lives. Like little children, He gathers us in His arms and places us on the driveway of life - promising us the power to witness to Him. He sees our fears - and He overcomes them.
I can recall when I was in grade school, we used to go swimming at the outdoor swimming pool. On a cooler day, I came out of the pool, and was shivering - waiting to get my towel and clothes from the lifeguard. The lifeguard looked at me and said, "stop shivering and you won't be so cold." I tried it - and it actually somewhat worked. I wasn't as cold when I just stopped shivering.
In 1 John 4:18 John said, "there is no fear in love." This is an encouragement to stop shivering in God's presence. Fear - shows a lack of love. The disciples must not have had a perfect love - since they feared the risen Christ. If you have any fear of God, you do not have a perfect love of God. That is sad - that we treat the God who forgives and loves us with fear and suspicion. It is a sad truth - none of us loves God with all of our heart, soul and mind. God says to us, "stop shivering."
Yet that doesn't seem to cut it, does it? Even though we know Jesus is raised, Easter is still full of fear. We just can't stop shivering. Jesus does something more than just to tell us to "stop shivering" in today's text. Through His words, He puts a huge coat of His love over us. He says, "I died and rose for you, just as I said I would. Your sins are forgiven. Now I want you to go and preach for me. I know it's scary, but I will clothe you with power from on high." Think about those words. When we focus on the words of the risen Christ, they clothe us with comfort - knowing God loves us. They keep us warm and minimize the shivering - until the Day that the Son will shine the brightest - and all of our shivering will be gone. Amen.