Easter

Easter 

March 27, 2005 

Luke 24:36-49

He is Risen

INTRODUCTION: Students often suffer anxiety before school begins. They wonder what the teacher is like. We often wonder what people are really like out of the public eye. This incident provides a special insight into Christ. The risen Christ was like the living Christ; since He is the same, He is today what He was then.

I.        He is concerned about peace. (V.36)

A.       It was shown in this meeting.

1.      They had much to be upset about.

2.      His first words were, “peace be unto you.”

B.       This continues to be His message.

1.      It is never His purpose for His people to be upset.

a.      He takes no delight in the distresses of His people.

b.      He desires us to find peace in the midst of strife.

2.      When we are filled with strife, the cause is within us.

II.      He is concerned about faith (Vv. 38-39, 41-43)

A.       Christ questions, “Why are ye troubled and why do thought arise in your hearts” (vv. 38-39)

1.      He challenges their unbelief.

2.      He does so in a unique way.

a.      Before His ascension, Christ had forbidden Mary to touch Him.

b.      Now He encourages Thomas to do so

c.      He did whatever was necessary to encourage their faith.

B.       He confronts their continued unbelief. (41-43)

1.      It seems to make difference here (unbelief of confusion).

2.      He gives them evidence to go one.

a.      He eats here – not for His need but for theirs.

b.      He shows His great patience with people.

C.       He still challenges doubt and demands belief.

1.      He rebukes unbelief and seeks to eliminate it.

2.      He encourages faith in every possible way – He gives us many “signs along the way”

 III. He is concerned about intimate fellowship (vv. 40, 43)

A.       He allows real intimacy.

1.      He allows touch

2.      He shows His hands and feet.

B.       He still desires intimacy with His people

1.      He pushes us to fellowship with Him.

2.      He hears our grief.

3.      He indulges our infirmities.

4.      He is a brother born for our every adversity.

IV. He is concerned about Scripture (vv. 44-45)

A.         He exalts the Scriptures, insists it must be kept entirely.

1.      Jesus always shows a high view of Scripture.

2.      Our view of Scripture should be based on His view.

B.         He desires us to have a high view of Scripture now.

1.      The Bible must be in the foreground.

2.      The Bible must be a practical part of our lives.

V. He is concerned about the souls of all people (vv.46-49)

A.       Christ gives a clear commandment.

1.      Reason for His suffering – forgiveness of sins.

2.      That message must be preached to everyone.

3.      Disciples given specific responsibility.

4.      Promise of the Holy Spirit’s help given.

B.       Christ is still interested in the salvation of mankind.

1.      The missionary spirit is the spirit of Christ.

2.      He is concerned with each individual.

Conclusion: It is easy to know what Christ was like as we have much recorded about Him such as this incident. We can summarize by saying that He was concerned about people. If you know Him, you can’t be like Him without concern for people. If you don’t know Him, that is the starting point.