Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

John 20:22&23 "22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." JESUS LIVES!!! His Disciples were hiding in a locked room. Their minds were wrecked by grief. They are FEARFUL of what might happen next. They knew the religious leaders would persecute them next! Into this situation, Jesus miraculously showed up. The Disciples see their friend and teacher standing before them in flesh and blood. They KNOW it's Him. Can they comprehend His message? Jesus asks them to continue His mission with the Father's will! It is a call to action and a promise of divine support as they go forth to spread the message of salvation. Given their state of mind, it would be a miracle if they retained ANY information.  And, help is on the way! In today's verses they are baptized with the Holy Ghost! The same way God breathe...

John 20:20&21 "20 And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you." "Peace be unto you." Jesus said to His Disciples who were hiding in a locked room. Their emotions are raw. Their minds were wrecked by grief. They are FEARFUL of what might happen next. They knew the religious leaders would persecute them next! They were disheartened. They had hoped Jesus would become a king, uniting the people and driving out the Romans, but His death brought an end to those hopes. They were also dismayed that they did not fully understand Jesus' promises. I'm not confident I can fully appreciate the full extent of their FEARS. Into this situation, Jesus miraculously showed up. The Disciples see their friend and teacher standing before them in flesh and blood. They KNOW it's Him. Can they compre...

John 20:19 "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." Last week we studied the women who found the empty tomb. We made note of their FEAR, having encountered the angel from heaven. They kept quiet about their experience. Today we turn to the Gospel of John and see the situation developing as the Disciples are coming to grips with Jesus's death and learning about His resurrection! In today's verse we read that the Disciples were also AFRAID. In fact, they are hiding behind locked doors, FEARFUL of what might happen next. They could NOT know what the future held, and they knew the religious leaders would persecute them next! They were disheartened. They had hoped Jesus would become a king, uniting the people and driving out the Romans, but His death brought an end to those hopes. They were also...

Mark 16:8 "And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid." These brave women have shown up to the empty tomb! There they encountered an angel telling them "He is Risen!" This experience is extreme. Their hearts are pounding, their eyes are dilated, every sense in their body is turned up to ten, their experience of time has slowed down. This moment has to be overwhelming. An angel standing in front of you and talking to you is REALLY incredible! BUT! The resurrection of Jesus is OFF THE CHARTS incredible! And then, the angel gives these ladies a very important assignment! They get to be the first to SHARE THE GOSPEL! And, in today's verse we learn they DIDN'T!?!? The women then fled the scene, seized by terror and amazement, and said NOTHING to ANYONE because they were too frightened. Obviously, their silence was not permanent, or we wouldn't know abo...

Mark 16:7 "7 But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you." These brave women have demonstrated their devotion and care for Jesus by showing up to the tomb, which is empty! They are hearing the Good News from the lips of a messenger from God! "He is Risen!" These ladies are taking it all in. It's a heightened experience. Their hearts are pounding, their eyes are dilated, every sense of their body is turned up to ten, their experience of time has slowed down. This is all they can handle. They are having a close encounter with an angel. A sight so incredible, so attention-grabbing, the angel has to say, "Behold!" Look, Jesus has risen from the dead! An angel standing in front of you and talking to you is REALLY incredible! BUT! The resurrection of Jesus is OFF THE CHARTS incredible! And then, in today's verse, the angel gives these ladies a very important assignment! ...

Mark 16:6 "6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him." Being in the presence of an angel is frightening. It is stated and restated in these verses. These brave women have demonstrated their devotion and care for Jesus by showing up to the tomb. Now! They are hearing the Good News from the lips of a messenger from God! "He is Risen!" YOU and I would impulsively respond "He is Risen, indeed! "Allelujah!" But, on this very first Easter morning, these ladies are trying to wrap their heads around what they are experiencing. "Behold..." the angel says. They are taking it all in. It's a heightened experience. Their hearts are pounding, their eyes are dilated, every sense of their body is turned up to ten, their experience of time has slowed down. This is all they can handle. It's more than I could handle. 

Mark 16:4&5 "4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted." "Send me an angel." We might say. When people encounter angels in the Holy Bible it's usually VERY frightening! These women are demonstrating their devotion and care for Jesus even after his death by showing up to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. These women remained steadfast while the male disciples had fled out of fear. They continue to support Jesus even AFTER His death. They have shown up and are not sure if they can open the tomb. They are going to figure it out as they go. And, now they meet a messenger from God and it's terrifying!