Easter 3

Easter 3

April 15, 2018

John 10:11-18

O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the perils of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys;

The night of the first Easter. When the disciples saw Jesus. They experience – surprise and fright. Which turned into joy. “It seemed too good to be true!” But it was true. And He gave them this instruction – what is good and true must be told.

It seemed too good to be true. The reports were coming in. Sin and death had not conquered. “The Lord has risen indeed!” Jesus appeared to the disciples in the room. Joy and doubt clashed. Our reaction too is both awe and joy. It seems too good to be true. Despite our sin. God offers forgiveness. And life. Through His Son Jesus.

It is good. Because it is true.   It is not a human plan of salvation. Human efforts reject Christ. “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected.” (Acts 4:11)

Because of self-righteousness. And deceit. The truth of Christ is rejected.  And there is no truth outside of Christ. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)

It has always been God’s plan. To restore us back to Himself.  Revealed already to the Old Testament faithful. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44)

It is fulfilled in Christ. “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (v.46)

He is the Truth of God’s salvation. It is good. Because it calls for us to repent. And offers the truth of God’s forgiveness. “…and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (v.47) Thus, we become right before God. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

It is truth. That is good for others. God desires that His salvation be proclaimed to all nations. “And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)

Repentance and forgiveness will restore people. From the darkness of sin. To the goodness of God’s light. God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:5-9)

The people of God are witnesses. To the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. “You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:48) All of us can share Christ in our daily conversations with others. The Holy Spirit gives us power to tell what is true. And what is good.  And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. (vs.49)

God’s salvation is never “too good to be true.” It is utterly good. It is utterly true. You can tell the world. So that all people can experience its truth and goodness.

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