Easter Christians are Repentant and Willing to Change

Acts 2:14a, 36-41 On the night that he was betrayed, Jesus and his disciples gathered in the upper room for the Passover meal.  They remembered God’s deliverance of his people by the shed blood of spotless lambs. 

Seated around the table, Jesus was filled with sorrow and warned them that one of them would betray him.  He said “Woe to that person who betrays the Son of Man.  It would be better for him if he had never been born.”  One after the other asked the Lord:  “Is it I”?  And when Judas spoke up, Jesus said, “Yes, it is you.”  At that moment Judas fled from the room.

A few days before, Judas had gone to Jesus’ enemies on the ruling council and asked what they would give him to betray Jesus.  They settled on thirty pieces of silver.  Judas would lead them to Jesus and in the darkness of night and, so that there was no confusion, Judas would identify Jesus with a kiss. 

And so it was that after Jesus and the disciples finished their meal they traveled to the Garden of Gethsemane.  It was there that a group of soldiers came, led by Judas who ran up to Jesus and betrayed him with a kiss.

In very short order, Judas had a change of heart.  He went back to the men who had given him the silver and he said “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” and he threw down the silver coins on the temple floor and went out and killed himself. 

Despite his sin—his greed, his betrayal, his despair—who among us cannot but count his death as a terrible tragedy—as something that didn’t have to be?  After all, the other disciples failed the Lord too.  Peter denied him three times!  He too wept bitterly at his sinful weakness.

That night as Jesus stood before the Council, in different parts of Jerusalem, two men cried deep, heart-wrenching tears of sorrow:  Peter and Judas were both heart-broken at their sin—both of them knew how badly they failed—but one of them died by his own hand and one of them became the leader of the church.  What was the difference between the two?

The difference was the resurrection.  All Judas knew was that his sin led to the death of Jesus.  Peter knew that too.  But early in the morning, on the first day of the week after Jesus’ death on the cross—Peter knew something more—he knew that death was not the end.  Yes, the judgment of God was real-- but Jesus’ resurrection means life and forgiveness and peace—even for those who sin greatly. 

God wants us to know and believe the same so that we would turn from our sins- and trust in Jesus for forgiveness -and receive the Holy Spirit for the strength to live a new life because Easter Christians are repentant and willing to change.  The Bible says that:

Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them:   Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 

            There was no doubt in Judas’ mind that he had betrayed an innocent man.  There was no doubt in Peter’s mind that he had failed the Lord when he needed him most.  There was no doubt in the disciples’ minds that they valued a nap in the garden more than prayer for the Lord in his time of need.  They all knew the role that they had played in Jesus’ death. 

But it was not only their sins that brought Jesus to the cross.  It was the sins of all people that caused him to die.  That is what they told the crowd—that is what they tell us. 

Fifty days had passed between Jesus’ resurrection and the harvest festival of Pentecost.   Thousands of Jews from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem for the holiday and Peter told them what had happened in those fifty days—that yes, Jesus died and their sins were the cause—but God had raised him up and that the disciples were witnesses of his resurrection and ascension.  The Bible says that:

When they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

            This is exactly the response that God is looking for when we see what our sins have done.  It’s called contrition--sorrow.  It means that we understand what our sins are—admit that they are real—and recognize that, while we didn’t drive the nails or cast the spear, our sins are responsible for what happened at the cross.  How can that not cut us to the heart?

It certainly did for Peter and Judas!  Both of them were broken-hearted.   Both of them felt guilty and ashamed of their sins.  That is the beginning of salvation.  God wants to bring us to the same place-to recognize and confess our sins—to understand just how deeply we have offended our God—and to amend our sinful life.  But how?  What shall we do?

That is the question that comes from a heart convicted of sin.  We want to do something to make it right.  Judas returned the money.  He admitted what he had done.  But he couldn’t UNDO what he had done.  There was no going back and he couldn’t see a way forward.  And the ruling council did nothing to help him either.  “What is that to us?” they said.  In other words, “that’s your problem”. 

And it was!  Because his sin was all he knew—because all he could do to make it up was not enough—it was his problem and he died under the guilt and shame of his failure, despairing of hope because all he knew was his sin.

Those who gathered at the festival knew the same about themselves—that their sins had caused the death of Jesus—they knew what it was to feel guilt and shame just like we do.  But Peter promises something more.  Despair isn’t the end.  The end of our story isn’t the death of an innocent man on a cross.  There is something more. 

Jesus has been raised from the dead!  He is the Christ—the Savior of the world--and his resurrection is God’s declaration of not guilty upon the world—upon the disciples and the Jews and you and me.  And so their question “what must we do” was answered by Peter by directing their attention to what Jesus had done for them.  The Bible says that:

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

            When we hear that word “repent” we think of sorrow of Judas over his sins and that is part of it—but only part.  It means to change direction—not only to stop going the way of sin but turn to Christ and receive his gifts in faith.  When the crowd wanted to know what they had to do for God to make things right-- Peter told them what God wanted to do for them:  to give them the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection by baptizing them into Christ’s death and resurrection.

In the waters of Holy Baptism we receive the forgiveness of sins won by Jesus at the cross- and we receive new life guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection- and we receive the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live out this new life. 

That is what Judas needed and never received.  He never got to experience the peace of the risen Christ like Thomas did.  He never heard from the risen Christ that he was forgiven like Peter did.  He never got to learn that there was still room for him at Jesus’ side like Jesus’ brothers did. 

The great tragedy is that Judas died alone with his sin just like the devil wanted him too when all along the promise of forgiveness and new life in Jesus’ resurrection is intended for all people—even those who sinned greatly like he did.  The Bible says that:

The promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

            This Good News that rings forth from the empty tomb, promising forgiveness and peace and hope and new life ISfor all people without exception—young and old, rich and poor, men and women.   Jesus died for all sins and he rose for all people so that we can know and believe that this promise of forgiveness and life is for us too. 

            Not one of us are excluded.  No matter what we have done.  No matter how far we have wandered.  Jesus wants us to know and believe that we are not alone with our sins but that he has entered into our flesh to die and rise again so that we don’t have to go through life with a burden of guilt and shame—so that we don’t have to die alone and in despair like Judas.

As surely as the voice of Peter rang out on that harvest festival, so the voice of the Lord is heard in this place, calling every one of us to genuine sorrow over our sins—calling us to trust in Jesus for forgiveness—calling us receive the Spirit’s gifts and be saved.  The Bible says that:

With many other words Peter bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”  So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

            I can picture Judas in my mind’s eye standing in the temple courts after betraying Jesus with a kiss in the garden of Gethsemane.  “I have sinned against an innocent man!” was his cry as he threw the hated money on the floor.  And then the words of the religious leaders, “What has that to do with us?”  A message devoid of hope and peace and forgiveness.

I can see Judas running through the streets of Jerusalem, the weight of guilt and shame crushing his soul.  With every step he takes we want to say to him what Peter says to us:  It’s not too late!  Turn to Christ!  Seek his forgiveness!  Save yourself from this crooked generation! 

Salvation IS the message of the cross and empty tomb:  Sin has been paid for!  You are forgiven!  There is a new beginning and a new life for you! 

What happened to Judas was a tragedy because it was completely unnecessary.  His sin was not greater than the cleansing blood of Jesus.  His betrayal was not greater than the love of Jesus for him.  The darkness that filled his heart and mind was not greater than the bright shining light of the first Easter morning when our Lord rose from the dead. 

As Easter Christians we know and believe that Christ’s resurrection is the power we need to repent and believe and be changed forever.  Amen.

Easter 3a General Prayer

Lord God heavenly Father, incline Your ear to us and hear our pleas for mercy as we come to You in prayer:

When we suffer the snares of death, when we are brought low, when our eyes are filled with tears, deliver us and save us.  According to Your mercy and wisdom grant healing to those who are ill and injured, especially Lisa.  Comfort for those who mourn the loss of loved ones, especially the McIntosh family as they mourn the death of Jackie.  Provide material aid for those who are hungry and homeless and unemployed, especially help Liang find employment in her chosen field.   

Because You are good and richly provide for all our needs of body and soul, help us to be faithful stewards of all that You have given into our hands, caring for those around us and returning to You our sacrificial, first-fruit offerings.

By the power of Your Holy Spirit grant us true repentance of life that we would turn from sin and turn in faith to your Son Jesus Christ for forgiveness and new life.  Each day let us return to our baptism where You buried us in Christ’s death and raised us in Christ’s resurrection so that we could walk in newness of life.

We give You thanks and praise for setting us free from slavery to sin, death and the power of the devil not with gold or silver but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, a lamb without spot or blemish.  As we come to the Sacrament of Holy Communion grant us a true faith to receive his body and blood for our spiritual good.

Empower the witness of Your church throughout the world so that the salvation won by Jesus Christ would be preached far and wide, that many would be saved from this crooked generation.  Let the Good News of Easter always be on our lips so that we would always be ready to tell others of Jesus’ love.  Watch over our missionaries and their families and encourage all those persecuted for their faith.

Just as Jesus remained with the Emmaus disciples in their home, so abide with us in ours.  Bless our marriages and families.  Let Your Word be a part of our daily life.  Provide for our material needs.  And let our love for one another deepen and grow each day.  Especially do we ask your blessing upon Martin as he celebrates his birthday, that You would bless him in body and soul all his days.

Whatever else You see that we need; whatever serves our neighbor and brings glory to You; whatever extends Your kingdom; grant to us dear Father in heaven for we ask it all in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Easter Christians are Courageous Witnesses

Acts 5:29-42 After our Lord was betrayed by Judas and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was led away by soldiers to appear before Caiaphas and Annas and the Jewish Council.  As Jesus was being interrogated and mistreated, Peter made his way into the outer courts where he was questioned by those who gathered there.  Each time when he was identified as a disciple of Jesus he denied it—again and again and again. 

After the third denial, he heard the rooster crow—just as the Lord had prophesied—and when he heard that, the Bible says that he went outside and wept bitterly.  All of his big talk about remaining faithful to the Lord—his pride in his strength—his SELF-confidence—it all came crashing down when he saw just how weak and frail and cowardly he really was. 

It is not until early in the morning, on the first day of the week, after the Sabbath rest, that we encounter him again as the faithful women rush into the room where he was staying, bearing the Good News that the Lord had been raised from the dead. 

From the voice of judgment in the rooster’s crow-- to the voice of forgiveness in the Easter morning Good News--Peter was a changed man—his cowardice was replaced with courage.

That is the power of the resurrection in a believer’s life—not just in giving us a new, eternal life that death cannot end—but changing us for the better right here and now.  What we are going to see today from God’s Word is that Easter Christians are courageous witnesses to Jesus Christ.  The Bible says that:

Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

These words were spoken to the same people who tried Jesus and condemned him to death—the same people who struck such fear in Peter’s heart that he denied Jesus again and again—it was to these same people that Peter and the apostles bore courageous witness.  That is the difference the resurrection made in their lives.

In the days and weeks after the resurrection Peter and the apostles and the other disciples and the faithful women could not stop talking about what they had seen and heard from the resurrected Lord.  Every place they went—every person they talked to—they saw as an opportunity to bear witness about Jesus.  Every day new believers were being added to their number.  The entire population of Jerusalem held them in high regard. 

And the response of the council to Peter and disciples was the same as it was towards Jesus:  they were jealous of their popularity and they persecuted them.

When the disciples were brought before the council and told to keep quiet, this is how Peter responded:  We must obey God rather than men.  And then they proceeded to tell the story of Jesus:  how their sins were responsible for his death, how God raised him from the dead, how Jesus was the Savior of the world, and how the Holy Spirit wanted this Good News preached for the salvation of many.  That was their courageous witness.   

So it is in the lives of all of those who are Easter Christians.  We live in a time and place that is just as antagonistic to the truth of God’s Word and just as opposed to Jesus as was Jerusalem two thousand years ago. 

More and more across the world (and even in our own nation) there is concerted opposition to the message of the church regarding sin and grace.  From the Gospel being forbidden in Muslim nations, to the preaching of the law regarding marriage and sexuality being outlawed in more and more western nations, to Christians being ridiculed for their beliefs and forced to go out of business rather than participate in sin and having their prayers silenced in public in our own nation, the message of Christ and the church is opposed by the powers that be. 

But the rallying cry of Christians when it comes to bearing witness to Christ is still the same:  We must obey God rather than men.  We musttell the truth about God’s will so that men can know their sins.  We musttell the truth about Jesus so that men can be saved. 

As Easter Christians we must courageously bear witness to the truth because the opposition of the world will only grow.  The Bible says that:  When they [the Council] heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them [Peter and the apostles].

And so why was there this rage?  Why are Christians so violently persecuted around the world?  Why is there an ever-increasing contempt for Christians in our own country? 

Part of the answer is that Easter Christians do not recognize a greater authority than the risen Christ.  “Jesus is Lord”—that was the proclamation of the church and those simple words led to wholesale persecution.  Early Christians would not stop talking about Jesus no matter how much the Jews wanted them to.  Neither would they engage in pagan ceremonies no matter how much the Romans wanted them to.  And so there was persecution on every side.

So it still is today.  The government is not our Lord.  Popular culture is not our Lord.  The opinion of others is not our Lord.  Jesus is the King of kings.  He is the Lord of lords.  He is not an idea or a philosophy that we can take or leave or adapt to the day.  He is our living, breathing sovereign and we owe him our allegiance above all else and above everyone else.

The second reason that the world is enraged against Easter Christians is that when we speak God’s Word we speak the truth.  The world despises the fact that we tell the truth about sin.  When Peter stood before the Council, he looked them dead in the eye and said:  You killed Jesus by hanging him on a tree.  That was the truth and it infuriated them.  The unbelieving world cannot bear to have its sins pointed out and people today are no different than they were then which is why there is such antagonism to the message of the church about God’s will.

But they are also violently opposed to the Gospel.  The message of the cross (that there is salvation in Jesus but only in Jesus) is an offense to modern religious ideas about many paths leading to God and the futility of our own good works earning our way to heaven. 

It takes courage to be an Easter Christian and bear witness to Jesus.  To refuse to go along with friends and family members—to refuse to acknowledge any authority who calls us to go against God’s Word—to face the powers that be and speak out—this takes courage. 

It takes courage to tell the truth about sin—especially the sin that the culture refuses to acknowledge.  It takes courage to call upon people to make a radical change in their life.  It takes courage to say that there is salvation in Jesus Christ alone and that every other religion and every other idea about life with God is wrong and leads only to hell.  It takes courage to witness.

The world around us today despises that witness as much as it did back then and the temptation in the face of opposition is to simply withdraw behind the walls of the church and remain silent.  Peter and the apostles faced this temptation too. 

But what gave them courage to speak was the power of the resurrected Christ who changed their lives and had the power to change the lives of those to whom they bore witness.  The Bible says that after Peter and the Apostles spoke to the council:

A Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.  And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men…and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

            The very thing that changed Peter from cowardly to courageous was the same thing that gave him confidence to witness in the face of incredible odds that said the world would reject his message:  the resurrection of Jesus.  When the resurrected Christ appeared to Peter and the other disciples they knew that the world was changed forever.  Death was a conquered enemy and Jesus was the victor.  What was the opposition of mere men compared to that?

Already Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethea had become disciples.  More and more the Jewish priests were becoming disciples.  Jesus’ brothers who had opposed him had become leaders in the church.  That is the power of the resurrection!

With every conversion--with every changed heart--the disciples’ courage and confidence grew.  They faced the Jewish Council—these same men who had condemned Jesus—and thought:  why not?  Why shouldn’t we bear witness to them too?  Why can’t they be converted?  Are they more powerful than the risen Christ?  Paul had the same attitude towards the Romans. 

Even though the church was being persecuted—even though the disciples would be martyred—even though Rome was the greatest empire that had ever existed—the apostles weren’t intimidated or afraid to witness.  Paul wantedto go to Rome and plead his case.  He knew that Christ had conquered death and that gave him the courage and confidence to bear witness to him to the powers of the day.

So it must be for us.  We live in a culture with very little regard for the values of the Gospel.  We live in a time where even the last few vestiges of a Christian culture are vanishing.  We live in a country where our government has become increasingly antagonistic to the Faith.  Far too many Christians view the situation as hopeless and retreat behind the closed doors of churches while those around us go to hell.

It is our mission to bear witness to Jesus despite the opposition of the world and trust God with the results.  Peter and the Apostles didn’t know what the outcome would be that day to their witness—whether any of the Council would come to faith or not.  But at least some of them were willing to listen and the disciples were courageous enough to face opposition so that others might know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  The Bible says that:

They [the council] took his [Gamaliel’s] advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

            We should get it settled in our hearts and minds right now that there are consequences—sometimes painful ones—to being a Christian. 

It’s only because we have been particularly blessed to live in this country that we forget that for the vast majority of the world’s Christians, for the vast majority of time that the church has existed—there have been painful consequences to being a Christian.    

What gives us the courage to face a cross-filled life of witness is the empty tomb.  Jesus went to the cross, suffered, and died.  But he rose again.  There is victory in his resurrection and the courage to face our crosses because no matter how dark and difficult and dangerous they are, the empty tomb is a promise of better things to come.  The Bible says that:

They left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

            Every day, in every place, to every person the disciples courageously bore witness to Jesus Christ.  It was not easy!  Already they had suffered persecution and pain and imprisonment for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  But rather than shrink back.  Rather than complain about how unjust it all was—they rejoiced.  They rejoiced! 

            Jesus had promised that this is the way it would be for those who were his disciples and what they suffered as they bore witness to him was also a testimony about who they were—that they really were his faithful people.

            The resurrection is what made all the difference!  They knew what Jesus suffered on the cross.  But there was more!  There was much more!  In the empty tomb there was victory and life for Jesus and there was victory of life for all of God’s people.  May we know the same in Jesus Christ and may his resurrection make us courageous witnesses to him in all that we say and do!  Amen.

Easter 2a General Prayer

Lord God heavenly Father, we call upon You in the name of Jesus Christ, remembering and giving thanks for the wondrous works You have done, seeking Your strength and presence:

Empower the witness of Your people so that we would courageously tell of Your wondrous works and make known Your deeds among the people.  We ask You to prosper the work of all missionaries, especially Pastor Haugen’s work in New Guinea and Pastor May in Africa so that people everywhere could come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved.

Grant us courage to put You first in every moment and circumstance and relationship.  Help us to always say:  We must obey God rather than men.  As You have exalted Your Son Jesus to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sin, grant the same to our own nation, leaders, and people.  Send a spiritual renewal upon our nation that we might put away our besetting sins and confess You as Lord.

We give You thanks that You have caused us to be born again to a living hope through the power of Your Word.  Help us to live as Your children during our earthly lives until that day we receive the inheritance You have kept in heaven for us. 

Give aid to those who are grieved by various trials.  Comfort those who mourn; provide for those who are in any need; strengthen those who are persecuted; and heal those are ill, especially Madeline.  Let hard times refine our faith so that it brings You praise, glory, and honor at the coming of Jesus Christ.

When we have doubts in our life of faith, direct us continually to Your Son Jesus Christ who speaks to us in the Bible and makes himself present to us in Holy Communion.  Give us a renewed commitment to worship You as You deserve and receive Your gifts so that we may that believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and have life in his name.

Whatever else You see that we need; whatever gives glory to You and serves our neighbor; grant to us dear Father in heaven for we ask all things in the name of Jesus.  Amen.