I Never Thought I Would See Your Face Again

I Never Thought I Would See Your Face Again John 20.24-29 What happened the week after Jesus rose from the dead? The Empty Tomb spoke volumes. He was not there. Matthew 27. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the Holy City and appeared to many people. This must have caused quite a stir! The statement of the one on the Road to Emmaus: Luke 24.18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” Jerusalem knew. The Cross and the Tomb were empty. Palm Sunday was two weeks ago. The disciples were nowhere to be found! It appears, by and large, the 11 stayed in that room, behind locked doors during that week, although we know that there was some coming and going… the women, the two, Thomas, early in the morning, later after darkness (7 miles from Emmaus back to Jerusalem, the sun was setting as they arrived) Genesis tells us the story of Joseph “I never thought I would see your face again.” - Jacob to Joseph Thomas had similar thoughts. He did not believe until he saw Jesus’ hands and side and from the sounds of it he did not believe that would ever happen! Btw… the two on the Road to Emmaus… when He broke bread… could it be they saw His nail scared hands?! Jacob is Lost Hope Revived. So is every follower of Jesus that first Easter. Soon it will be Thomas’ turn. Have you lost hope this morning? Lost hope in someone changing? Lost hope in your future? Lost hope with change within you? Jeremiah 29. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Opposition can be disheartening Opportunities and Oppositions I Corinthians 16. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. Blessed is the one who sees both! Are you overwhelmed with the many who oppose you but not seeing the great door for effective work opened? Not seeing God’s provisions? Are you in a rut? Are there some things going on and you are over your head in them. Jacob who said that he would go to his grave in mourning. Believing the unbelievable is life transforming. Jacob, who for 21 years believed Joseph was dead finds out he is alive and is the governor of Egypt! News that is amazing and shocking in a good way! Jacob believed something that was not true. Some say, “I don’t believe that!” Others say, “I am not sure who is telling the truth.” Genesis 45. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. It is very hard to suddenly snap out of grief for over 20 years, only to find out that a person is alive. Remember the movie, Cast Away? Remember Helen Hunt’s words to Tom Hanks? “I always knew you were alive but people kept saying that I had to let you go.” * We Are Seeing A Stubborn Refusal To Obey My Intellect is greater than the Truth. My intellect is greater than those I know well. Others can believe what they claim to have seen. I will not believe them, only if my eyes see and my hands touch Him. I wonder what side Thomas leaned to That is never going to happen. I will never see His Face again! Thomas was not the only one to stubbornly refuse to believe. Even after all the appearances… Mark 16. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. We have all been there. His rebuke often comes when we are faithless. II Timothy 2.13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. Photo Bricks Bonface in Uganda/ children yesterday Karachi Pakistan Friday * We Are Seeing Conditions Set Down By A Follower For The LORD. Not a wise Decision, but the LORD obliged. He heard Thomas’ words. They were inappropriate but they were his heart. Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Peace be with you… Thomas What would you have said? I know what I would say and it wouldn’t be, “Peace be with you.” It would have been more along the lines, “You guys! You were going to die with me?! You all fled! And Peter you denied knowing me! Even though you said you would not!” See how that would have changed the mood that evening?! Instead Jesus comes in with overwhelming forgiveness and grace and mercy. The Amazing Grace of our LORD We see it in Joseph. He forgave his brothers. They had to be forgiven before they could go back to Jacob. Forgiven people are the ones who tell of the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth! * The Greater Blessing Is For Us! John 20. 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas got what he asked for. Our faith is strengthened when we do not see. When I do not see how all the needs that are coming in from all over the world will possibly be met and I explain we are a little church, I am reminded we serve a great God! When I see what some of you are facing, I pray and wonder how you will make it but here we are today! When I see young people starting out, my heart goes out to them. Then I remember times in my own life when I suffered and we had nothing and God came through in amazing ways. As the Father send Jesus, so Jesus is sending us… with no resources, money, schemes… just His Spirit! We have been handed the baton. Pass it on. Hymn #641 Pass It On