See previous blogs for devotions from the book of John-
Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 5
Theme- The Living Lord
Verses- John 21:1-2 - Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
The Living Christ Affects Us
What happens to a group of people who have seen the living Lord? The appearances of Jesus to the disciples changed their lives forever. Now everything that Jesus taught them was true. When he said they would not die, death lost its horrible threat. When He said he would return again to them, they were able to go out in confidence as well as obedience.
How often do you hear about someone rising from the dead? I heard about an incident about every so often. I remember one news report of a man working on his vehicle when it accidentally fell off the ramp onto him. His wife frantically called 911 while he was having increased difficulty breathing. When the EMT’s arrived they could not get a pulse beat or other signs of life but continued to work on him for several minutes. To their surprise he started breathing again. He was rushed to the hospital and brought back to recovery. The man described his death experience as seeing a bright light and feeling a state of peace. He does not have fear dying again.
In my work as a hospital chaplain and a pastor, I have talked to people who had similar experiences. But also there have been others for whom such a death or near death experience was filled with fear and terror, as if they were at the gates of hell.
I visited with one man who asked how he can be saved because he was more afraid to die that before. We talked about acknowledging and repentance of sins, of trusting in Christ for salvation, and turning his life over to the Lord’s authority by inviting Christ into your life. He accepted Christ that day, and has since passed away with the knowledge of a personal relationship with Jesus.
What do you make of the testimonies of those who claim to have died and come back to life again? There may be minutes when clinically someone might be declared dead and we marvel when they recover. Some relate how a relative has come to greet them, or they see Jesus.
However, the death of Jesus Christ was far different than our modern day examples. There was no question of his death. It was affirmed by the Roman Government. He was bound and put in a tomb for 3 days. When he came back to life he did not require the life support systems in modern hospitals like others do. In fact with his resurrected body he could come and go at will, in and out of locked rooms. His body was real, but still different than what we experience. His resurrection began a whole new church movement
The presence of the living Christ following the Easter experience, affects us today as it did with the early disciples. It changed not just their future hope, but also their present lives.
All of Jesus teaching was not just for our understanding, but for an affect on our lives in some way. Because he lives it does make a difference how we look at marriage and family, work and money, entertainment and recreation.
Because Jesus lives now should make a difference how you and I live in 2009.
Pastor Dale
