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Apr 17, 2022

Easter

Easter

Speaker: James Gallaher

Category: Sunday Morning

Jesus' death and resurrection is redemption for us.

Today we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. Jesus had an all-encompassing love that came at such a cost that we could never repay. It is a free gift.

Jesus washed His disciples feet, knowing that the next 24 hours of His life would be great suffering. Jesus gets humble and takes on the position of a servant and kneels at their feet. Imagine the silence, the disbelief in what they were seeing.

Who at the table can we relate too? Peter goes all in for most things. And this night Peter refuses to have his feet washed. But Jesus says, then you have no part in me. Then Peter wanted his whole body washed. 

Who do you relate too? We tend to elevate the disciples and see them as larger than life. But these men were just like you and me. They had challenges and difficulties; they were betrayers, deniers, deserters, doubters... Do we worry that Jesus would reject us if He knew what was in our hearts? Yet, Jesus ministers to these disciples, even knowing the betrayer. 

Betrayers... Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver ($90). John 13:18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” Verse 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Judas then betrays Jesus in the garden with a sign of affection - a kiss. Even knowing this would happen, Jesus washed his feet. 

Deniers... John 13:36-38 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. Peter seemed to be the head of this group. He followed as Jesus was taken away. But Peter denied to others that he was associated with Jesus. After the third denial, the rooster crowed. Peter then wept as he remembered Jesus words of his denial. Even knowing this would happen, Jesus washed his feet. 

Deserters... Mark 14:27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered. Mark 14:48-50 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then they all forsook Him and fled. 

All of these that sat at the table and pledged their lives to Jesus had their feet washed, one by one. 

Doubters... Thomas wasn't at the first visit of Jesus after His resurrection. Thomas did not believe until he saw Jesus. Was he the only one? They all had doubt. Luke 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. They were perplexed and so were the disciples. Could it possibly be that Jesus had risen?

John 20:19-20 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. Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Jesus calls peace and did not call out their fear. Shalom (Peace) means to be safe; it's more than peace; it means wholeness, well being, and completion. 

Jesus brings peace, not condemnation, guilt, or shame. Jesus gives His presence and gives His Holy Spirit. No matter where we are in life, Jesus comes to give peace to our doubt, to our dark place, to our betrayal, to our guilt, to our fear. Jesus comes to give wholeness and completeness to doubters, deniers, deserters, betrayers. Locked doors and locked hearts cannot prevent Jesus' love from showing. 

Judas was remorseful in his betrayal of Jesus and tries to return the silver. Judas hangs himself. Remorse stops short of restoring life. Peter mourned and repented. Repentance brings freedom and new life.

Do we feel locked into habits, lifestyles, and relationships that are not good for us? Do all of our efforts fall short? Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 

Repentance is calling it what God calls it - sin. Jesus is here to restore and to heal. Jesus washed their feet knowing what they would do.  

Who did Jesus wash the feet of? (doubters...)

What is the difference between remorse and repentance?

What bondage has Jesus brought you out of? a habit, a lifestyle, a relationship?