Understanding Easter

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Even with the knowledge that Jesus was risen from the dead, the disciples still needed Jesus to open their minds to the whole story.

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For most churches in our country, today is the strangest Easter we have experienced in recent memory. Think back to the Easters you have experienced in the past.

I have great memories of Easter.

Going to Granny’s house for lunch and playing with my cousins.

Easter, among other holidays is a time when we can allow our expectations to be so high for what we are used to experiencing that when unmet, our disappoint will destroy our joy.

How do our expectations keep us from celebrating holidays for the right reasons?

How do our expectations keep us from experiencing full joy?

The disciples of Jesus were struggling with unmet expectations early on Easter Sunday.

Their leader had been crucified. They had all, other than John had run away from the situation and they were all together in prayer wondering what the next move was.

Peter went from believing that he was a lion of a man for God to feeling like a frightened kitten. He was completely humbled.

And then, the news spread....

On the sabbath day, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James had gone with spices to the tomb where Jesus was buried and had found the stone rolled away. Two men in white (angels) told them that Jesus had risen.

Peter and John had run to the tomb to see that it was empty.

Two unnamed disciples were on the road to Emmaus talking about what had happened and trying to make sense of it all.

Another man joined them in the discussion. Unbeknownst to the men, their guest traveller was Jesus Christ! Once they realized who He was, He vanished from their sight.

The disciples were trying to figure out what was going on. They were at a loss on what was happening.

What did Jesus do to help His disciples understand Easter?

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Jesus appeared before His disciples to their amazement. He wanted to prove to them that He was not a spirit or entity but risen.

Jesus did not come before them with His old body but in a risen body. The disciples were able to tell who He was but they could also see that He was different.

He could tell that the disciples had doubt in their heart as His appearing.

He still had scars on His wrist and in His feet and showed them to His disciples.

Jesus ate in front of them.

Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for the purpose of redeeming the entire world of sin.

He also wants man to understand the purpose behind the resurrection.

In our understanding of Jesus, we can believe.

10 “You are my witnesses”- this is the Lord’s declaration—“and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. No god was formed before me, and there will be none after me.” -

this is the Lord’s declaration—

“and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me

and understand that I am he.

No god was formed before me,

and there will be none after me.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

The scriptures are clear. God is not wanting any of His people to sit in the dark when it comes to belief in His son Jesus.

“I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of god so that you may know that you have eternal life.” -

God is calling for His people to know what they believe so that they can worship Him in freedom.

My prayer for Easter this year is for believers to know that they are free. Completely free.

I want to focus on the words of Jesus found in verses 44-49.

1. Everything about the resurrection is biblical.

Jesus displayed absolute authority by saying, “These are my words.”

The OT is divided into 3 parts.

The law - first 5 books.

The prophets - Joshua, Judges, the books of Samuel, the took books of Kings, and all the prophets except Daniel.

The Psalms - Sacred writes which comprise of the Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the two books of Chronicles.

Jesus is saying, “Now you will understand what seemed so dark to you when I told you about the Son of man being put to death and rising again.”

Everything that Jesus had taught His disciples from the Old Testament represented what Jesus had done on the cross.

“While I was with you”. A definitive break had happened. Before, Jesus had been with His disciples in body. Now, Jesus no longer had an abode on earth. He was resurrected.

Jesus had lived in perfect harmony with everything written about the messiah.

Discipleship. Inductive Bible Study. “Christ seen”.

Everything written in the scriptures points straight to Jesus. Think of everything you read, no matter where it is as an arrow to understanding Him better.

God’s word is diverse and covers a plethora of information but don’t mistaken of its purpose. The purpose of scripture is for everyone to have the ability to know Jesus.

I encourage to read every verse of scripture with Jesus goggles.

Jesus’ resurrection was no surprise but simply the scriptures being fulfilled.

2. We can’t understand truth with heavenly inspiration.

Verse 45 says that Jesus “opened” the minds of the disciples to understand the scriptures.

This is a statement of unspeakable value.

Jesus was able to adjust the understanding of the disciples and give them the way to spiritually discern the message of His death and resurrection.

The people of God didn’t simply hear information about God and have the ability to amazing works in His name.

There was a supernatural enablement to comprehend the voice of God.

Paul wrote about the Holy Spirits role in the lives of believers.

“10 Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him?,But we have the mind of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

who has known the Lord’s mind,

that he may instruct him?,x

But we have the mind of Christ.

Sharing the gospel with Harrison in the pool. He had fought like crazy before.

Is there anything wrong with growing our intelligence? Absolutely not. The ability to think is a gift from God and can be used to expand the kingdom of Heaven. Being intelligent is not the key to understanding God’s word.

Being bold and willing to share truth at every turn is an amazing characteristic to have. We need bold people who will step up and lead when tough times come.

Proper speech and eloquence of words are wonderful. I’m not downplaying what a wordsmith can do to bless the lives of people.

These aren’t the reasons that people receive Christ and understand His resurrection. They don’t make our hearts burn within us when we hear the word of God.

We must experience a work of the Holy Spirit to receive a revelation and understanding from God.

A moment when God’s word is presented and you hear it with your ears and your heart recognizes the truth. The Holy Spirit leads man to understanding. We aren’t called to make ourselves hear God’s word. We allow ourselves to put aside ourselves and let God teach us.

Do you want to know what God is saying to you right now? It’s simple. Allow yourself to decrease and God to increase.

Ask the Spirit to guide you into receiving the word of God.

3 Understanding is just the beginning.

Jesus didn’t simply give the disciples information about His resurrection. He left them with an important appeal.

What Christ has done is for people but He also had work to do through people.

The gospel is to be preached to all nations and the witness to Christ is to to be made.

The gospel witness would begin in Jerusalem.

The risen Jesus has the power to send the Spirit. His authority is not limited as it was during the days of His earthly ministry. The disciples were not to attempt the task of evangelism with their own talents or resources.

The equipment he would provide is described as the disciples being clothed with power from on high.

The not of power is significant, and on high reminded them (and reminds us) of the source of all real power for evangelism.

Billy Graham, D.L. Lowrie. The evangelistic approach is simple, yet powerful.

For Christians who view their salvation as an opportunity to share what they have seen and heard, they are bearing the mark of disciples.

People who simply want to follow the Lord and live according to His purpose.

Jesus loves us too much to disallow His people from being a part of His work.

When we gain a full understanding of Easter, we understand that His resurrection is our resurrection. We don’t just live a life. We make the most out of the life He has given us by serving as His witness.

How have you allowed your understanding of Easter to impact others?

I believe the Lord is calling us back to the heart of worship.

To know God on a deeper level.

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