Sacred Moments with the Risen Lord - Easter Sunday

Today as we celebrate the first Easter Sunday all those centuries ago, we will look at some of the words the resurrected Jesus spoke before He ascended back to heaven. As you listen to Sacred Moments with the Risen Lord be blessed, empowered and transformed in Jesus name.

For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Also connect with us in discipleship, watch our videos, follow us on facebook or send us an email

Transcript

00:00 Intro music and voice over.

Welcome to jesus loves the world podcast. For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Be blessed empowered and transformed in Jesus’ name! 

00:21 Speaker

Following on from Good Friday’s message, ‘The Wounds that Tell the Greatest Story’, let us take a moment to remember the wounds that Jesus sustained.

His wounds show the incredible selfless love of God. Yet also reveal the horrible decadence of humanity and our need for a saviour. 

Humanity demanded that someone has to pay the cost. Pay the cost of all offences ever said, thought or done by humanity. At the hands of humanity Jesus’ human flesh was brutally lashed and ripped to pieces. The stripes that were inflicted upon His human flesh, tell the story. 

Knowing Jesus was an innocent man, they mocked and ridiculed Him. They demanded crucify Him, crucify Him.  

Jesus’ nail-pierced hands reveal the unending love of God. For they satisfy our need that someone has to pay. 

His pierced side from which human blood and water poured out proved He was dead. Yes He had laid down His life for us. 

The testimony is true. Jesus is the one who bears the wounds that tell of the greatest story. A true story of humanity’s shame and the unending love of the divine. 

But the Eternal One’s love story did not end on the cross. For today we reflect and celebrate that Jesus is alive! He defeated death, paid the cost for all our offences and is at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. He is in the position of ultimate power and authority.

For 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, He presented Himself to many. After His suffering He continued to teach, proclaim and demonstrate the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 

The kingdom means the absolute rule of God in one’s every day moments and life. Jesus explained that there was no need to look for the kingdom of God elsewhere, as it begin’s in a surrendered heart and mind. It begins within. Into the depths of a person’s intellect, emotions and will.

Today as we celebrate the first Easter Sunday all those centuries ago, we will look at some of the words the resurrected Jesus spoke before He ascended back to heaven.

Let us go back to that sacred moment in time. 

It was early morning on the first day of the week. Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She was the one from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. Jesus tenderly called her name, ‘Mary’. He said to her, ‘…go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’

This is a beautiful and sacred moment. Jesus revealed to Mary who is His disciple, the amazing love of God. Mary was to testify of her encounter with Jesus to others. To testify of who He is and all He has done. 

Through the holy scriptures account of this event, Mary and the women who were with her continue to testify to us today. 

What Jesus said to her was so profound. That is receive Jesus, receive God and receive the same intimate relationship that Jesus has with God the Father in heaven. Just as Jesus in His human form is intimate with God the Father in heaven, so it is for us. For this relationship of intimacy is a gift from God in Jesus to us. 

So Mary went and told the 11 disciples of Jesus and all those gathered, yet they did not believe. 

The resurrected Jesus appeared to two men walking along the road to Emmaus. They are  astonished by the report of certain women that Jesus was alive. Yet they were sad. For their expectations of how circumstances should be, restrained their eyes from seeing the glory of God. However in grace and truth the resurrected Jesus walked with them as they lamented. He talked with them, broke bread with them and opened their spiritual eyes to the truth. 

Jesus explained how the holy scriptures testify of Him and how He had to suffer for their sakes. Not only for their sakes but for all humanity.

The two men returned to Jerusalem and told the 11 and all those gathered with them, the women’s testimony is true. Jesus is alive!

Then it happened.

Jesus appeared in the midst of those gathered. Still they do not yet fully comprehend all that had happened. So the first words Jesus speaks to them all who are gathered is ‘Peace to you.’ 

When Jesus, the Son of God speaks, it is so. He speaks over them His gift of peace. This is a peace that is divine. It is a state of quietness and rest, tranquility and safety. The blessed state is complete trust in God. The same trust in God that Jesus has in God the Father. A perfect peace that is God Himself. This state of being, regardless of the circumstances of this world.

Jesus continues to commune with all who are gathered. He shows them His nail-pierced hands and feet. He urges them, look and see, touch and feel. For it is I. I have flesh and bones just as you have. Yet they still did not believe. 

Let us go to that sacred moment and listen to what He said to them and did.

Luke 24:46-48 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Jesus explains that He did it all for humanity. He suffered at the hands of humanity, to set humanity free. To release us from the bondage or our selfish desires, evil and death. He did it all to enable us to receive and believe. Receive from God the gifts of salvation and forgiveness that are always there for us.

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who together with the Father and Spirit created the heavens and the earth and all things good. Who in a moment in human history became one of us and paid the cost for humanity. 

Jesus tells all those who were gathered that they are witnesses of Him. That is they are able to make public the truth. The truth about God and all He has done and given to us in Jesus. 

As God has determined, everyone has the right to hear. Everyone has the right to make an informed choice. That is who or what they choose to align themselves with and give their allegiance to.

In another account of some of the events that occurred in the 40 days the resurrected Jesus walked the earth, Jesus states, ‘As the Father has sent me, I also send you.’ 

Let us go to that sacred moment in time.

John 20:21-23 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Again Jesus speaks peace into their unbelief, grief and confusion. His divine peace is independent from the circumstances of this world. His peace is independent of our emotions and even our degree of faith. He speaks His divine peace that is always there for us to receive.

In this context ‘forgive the sins of any’ actually means to leave or let go. That is let go of that sin in a person, whether in self or others. Specifically to choose to no longer be one with it. No longer identify oneself or others with that offence. It also means to let go of those desires of the heart that are destructive of either self and/or others. Upon letting go of the sin or offence or addiction opens our heart and mind to receive the forgiveness of God. His forgiveness that is always there for us to receive. 

Conversely to retain the sin of any in this context means to keep, give power to and choose to be identified with it. Jesus is speaking these powerful words of life in the context of sending the disciples out as His witnesses. 

Being an effective witness of Jesus is intricately woven into the fabric of our hearts. As we live in this world where evil and selfish desires are still given power, it is even more imperative that we are able to stay in that state of continual surrender. Letting God transform us. Remembering who He is, what He has done and who we are having received Him.    

Another recorded appearance of the resurrected Jesus to the 11 is in the gospel according to Matthew. Again it is noted that there were some who still did not believe. So Jesus continued to reveal more about the kingdom of God to them. 

Let us go to Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus reveals the kingdom of God on earth and what it looks like for those who receive Him. That is receive Jesus, receive God and His right to rule and reign. In receiving Jesus we receive all of who He is and what He has done. 

Jesus states that all authority has been given to Him. That is the right to rule and reign over evil and sin. Where every disciple of Jesus throughout the ages lives in continual surrender to God. That is surrender of self will to that of our Father’s will. Living in Jesus’ power and authority is to be in constant surrender to God our selfish desires. Choosing to continually let go of all offences done to us and by us to others. 

As making disciples is the main action of this text, Jesus revealed the reproducing model of God’s kingdom. It is important to remember making disciples is a work of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is a surging, rushing, relentless, wild river of new life and identity. 

God in His love is continually pursing each individual and people group. Revealing Himself to them in ways they can understand. 

The resurrected Jesus, the Son of God is now ascended at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The Spirit of God, the Father and the Son are one. The Spirit of God is from the Father through Jesus the Son to us. 

When we receive Jesus and His right to rule and reign, we receive the Spirit of God within. As we continue to live in surrender to God, we are transformed by Him. Receiving more of His character, more of His truth and more of His power. Empowered to live in the fullness of all God has given us. 

We are witnesses of God. That is all He has done, is doing and will do. For it is His Spirit within every disciple of Jesus that testifies of Jesus. Jesus testifies of the Father and the Father testifies of the Son.

Having received Jesus and His right to rule and reign, we testify of who He is. We receive our new identity, that is our identity of God. We do not become God, but are His children with His identity. A citizen of heaven for this life and all eternity.

Baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit in this context is referring to identity. In stating ‘baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’ Jesus reveals the greater revelation of the identity of God. Jesus reveals not only the identity of God and the relationship within God, but the relationship that we become adopted into. That is God the Father, Son and Spirit. The three are one. 

So this Easter Sunday let us reflect and meditate on the words the resurrected Jesus spoke before He ascended back into heaven. He speaks peace into the chaos, truth into unbelief, freedom into the bondage and light into the darkness. Yes He did it all for us.

Following on from Good Friday’s message, ‘The Wounds that Tell the Greatest Story’, let us take a moment to remember the wounds that Jesus sustained.

His wounds show the incredible selfless love of God. Yet also reveal the horrible decadence of humanity and our need for a saviour. 

Humanity demanded that someone has to pay the cost. Pay the cost of all offences ever said, thought or done by humanity. At the hands of humanity Jesus’ human flesh was brutally lashed and ripped to pieces. The stripes that were inflicted upon His human flesh, tell the story. 

Knowing Jesus was an innocent man, they mocked and ridiculed Him. They demanded crucify Him, crucify Him.  

Jesus’ nail-pierced hands reveal the unending love of God. For they satisfy our need that someone has to pay. 

His pierced side from which human blood and water poured out proved He was dead. Yes He had laid down His life for us. 

The testimony is true. Jesus is the one who bears the wounds that tell of the greatest story. A true story of humanity’s shame and the unending love of the divine. 

But the Eternal One’s love story did not end on the cross. For today we reflect and celebrate that Jesus is alive! He defeated death, paid the cost for all our offences and is at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. He is in the position of ultimate power and authority.

For 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, He presented Himself to many. After His suffering He continued to teach, proclaim and demonstrate the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 

The kingdom means the absolute rule of God in one’s every day moments and life. Jesus explained that there was no need to look for the kingdom of God elsewhere, as it begin’s in a surrendered heart and mind. It begins within. Into the depths of a person’s intellect, emotions and will.

Today as we celebrate the first Easter Sunday all those centuries ago, we will look at some of the words the resurrected Jesus spoke before He ascended back to heaven.

Let us go back to that sacred moment in time. 

It was early morning on the first day of the week. Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She was the one from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. Jesus tenderly called her name, ‘Mary’. He said to her, ‘…go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’

This is a beautiful and sacred moment. Jesus revealed to Mary who is His disciple, the amazing love of God. Mary was to testify of her encounter with Jesus to others. To testify of who He is and all He has done. 

Through the holy scriptures account of this event, Mary and the women who were with her continue to testify to us today. 

What Jesus said to her was so profound. That is receive Jesus, receive God and receive the same intimate relationship that Jesus has with God the Father in heaven. Just as Jesus in His human form is intimate with God the Father in heaven, so it is for us. For this relationship of intimacy is a gift from God in Jesus to us. 

So Mary went and told the 11 disciples of Jesus and all those gathered, yet they did not believe. 

The resurrected Jesus appeared to two men walking along the road to Emmaus. They are  astonished by the report of certain women that Jesus was alive. Yet they were sad. For their expectations of how circumstances should be, restrained their eyes from seeing the glory of God. However in grace and truth the resurrected Jesus walked with them as they lamented. He talked with them, broke bread with them and opened their spiritual eyes to the truth. 

Jesus explained how the holy scriptures testify of Him and how He had to suffer for their sakes. Not only for their sakes but for all humanity.

The two men returned to Jerusalem and told the 11 and all those gathered with them, the women’s testimony is true. Jesus is alive!

Then it happened.

Jesus appeared in the midst of those gathered. Still they do not yet fully comprehend all that had happened. So the first words Jesus speaks to them all who are gathered is ‘Peace to you.’ 

When Jesus, the Son of God speaks, it is so. He speaks over them His gift of peace. This is a peace that is divine. It is a state of quietness and rest, tranquility and safety. The blessed state is complete trust in God. The same trust in God that Jesus has in God the Father. A perfect peace that is God Himself. This state of being, regardless of the circumstances of this world.

Jesus continues to commune with all who are gathered. He shows them His nail-pierced hands and feet. He urges them, look and see, touch and feel. For it is I. I have flesh and bones just as you have. Yet they still did not believe. 

Let us go to that sacred moment and listen to what He said to them and did.

Luke 24:46-48 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Jesus explains that He did it all for humanity. He suffered at the hands of humanity, to set humanity free. To release us from the bondage or our selfish desires, evil and death. He did it all to enable us to receive and believe. Receive from God the gifts of salvation and forgiveness that are always there for us.

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who together with the Father and Spirit created the heavens and the earth and all things good. Who in a moment in human history became one of us and paid the cost for humanity. 

Jesus tells all those who were gathered that they are witnesses of Him. That is they are able to make public the truth. The truth about God and all He has done and given to us in Jesus. 

As God has determined, everyone has the right to hear. Everyone has the right to make an informed choice. That is who or what they choose to align themselves with and give their allegiance to.

In another account of some of the events that occurred in the 40 days the resurrected Jesus walked the earth, Jesus states, ‘As the Father has sent me, I also send you.’ 

Let us go to that sacred moment in time.

John 20:21-23 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Again Jesus speaks peace into their unbelief, grief and confusion. His divine peace is independent from the circumstances of this world. His peace is independent of our emotions and even our degree of faith. He speaks His divine peace that is always there for us to receive.

In this context ‘forgive the sins of any’ actually means to leave or let go. That is let go of that sin in a person, whether in self or others. Specifically to choose to no longer be one with it. No longer identify oneself or others with that offence. It also means to let go of those desires of the heart that are destructive of either self and/or others. Upon letting go of the sin or offence or addiction opens our heart and mind to receive the forgiveness of God. His forgiveness that is always there for us to receive. 

Conversely to retain the sin of any in this context means to keep, give power to and choose to be identified with it. Jesus is speaking these powerful words of life in the context of sending the disciples out as His witnesses. 

Being an effective witness of Jesus is intricately woven into the fabric of our hearts. As we live in this world where evil and selfish desires are still given power, it is even more imperative that we are able to stay in that state of continual surrender. Letting God transform us. Remembering who He is, what He has done and who we are having received Him.    

Another recorded appearance of the resurrected Jesus to the 11 is in the gospel according to Matthew. Again it is noted that there were some who still did not believe. So Jesus continued to reveal more about the kingdom of God to them. 

Let us go to Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus reveals the kingdom of God on earth and what it looks like for those who receive Him. That is receive Jesus, receive God and His right to rule and reign. In receiving Jesus we receive all of who He is and what He has done. 

Jesus states that all authority has been given to Him. That is the right to rule and reign over evil and sin. Where every disciple of Jesus throughout the ages lives in continual surrender to God. That is surrender of self will to that of our Father’s will. Living in Jesus’ power and authority is to be in constant surrender to God our selfish desires. Choosing to continually let go of all offences done to us and by us to others. 

As making disciples is the main action of this text, Jesus revealed the reproducing model of God’s kingdom. It is important to remember making disciples is a work of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is a surging, rushing, relentless, wild river of new life and identity. 

God in His love is continually pursing each individual and people group. Revealing Himself to them in ways they can understand. 

The resurrected Jesus, the Son of God is now ascended at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The Spirit of God, the Father and the Son are one. The Spirit of God is from the Father through Jesus the Son to us. 

When we receive Jesus and His right to rule and reign, we receive the Spirit of God within. As we continue to live in surrender to God, we are transformed by Him. Receiving more of His character, more of His truth and more of His power. Empowered to live in the fullness of all God has given us. 

We are witnesses of God. That is all He has done, is doing and will do. For it is His Spirit within every disciple of Jesus that testifies of Jesus. Jesus testifies of the Father and the Father testifies of the Son.

Having received Jesus and His right to rule and reign, we testify of who He is. We receive our new identity, that is our identity of God. We do not become God, but are His children with His identity. A citizen of heaven for this life and all eternity.

Baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit in this context is referring to identity. In stating ‘baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’ Jesus reveals the greater revelation of the identity of God. Jesus reveals not only the identity of God and the relationship within God, but the relationship that we become adopted into. That is God the Father, Son and Spirit. The three are one. 

So this Easter Sunday let us reflect and meditate on the words the resurrected Jesus spoke before He ascended back into heaven. He speaks peace into the chaos, truth into unbelief, freedom into the bondage and light into the darkness. Yes He did it all for us.

19:40 Outro music and voice over. 

For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Be blessed empowered and transformed in Jesus’ name!