Title: The Peace, Power and Passion of Christ
Text: Luke 24
Easter is the story and celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is, in my estimation, the most important aspect of our faith. Without the Resurrection, our faith would be futile. If God did not raise Christ from the dead, we would still be in our sins and there would be no salvation (see 1 Corinthians 15). But He was raised, and He lives forever more. The story of how He resurrected has a lesson for us.
I’d like us to take note of where Jesus was found when He rose that day. Luke (Luke 24) tells us that the women went to search for him in the tomb, among the dead. But they did not find him there. Even Peter after he heard, ran… to the tombs. It’s funny that they remembered what He said, but the first placed they looked for the living, was among the dead.
But notice where Jesus WAS found. In Luke’s account of the Resurrection, we see that the risen Christ is found among His disciples. Two of His disciples were walking along the road to Emmaus and Jesus appeared to them. After that, He appeared to the apostles and spoke to them before He ascended to Heaven.
Jesus is found among his disciples. It is important that in today’s world, when people are searching for answers- and some more specifically for Jesus- they can find Him among us, His disciples. This Easter, how can you be sure that others can find Jesus with you?
From the stories, I believe there are at least 4 signs of where Jesus is there:
1. Peace: when Jesus appeared to his disciples he called for peace (Luke 24:36). This world is rife with tension, wars and rumors of war. Even within us, there is fear and doubt and storms. In Mark chapter 4 we read how Jesus is able to calms the storms that rage around us. But in Mark 5 we read how Jesus is able to calm the storms that rage inside of us. He told the storms to be still, and then He told the demons inside the Gerasenes demoniac to leave. Peace between and within must accompany his spirit and presence.
2. Power: when Jesus appeared to the disciples, He promised them power (Mark 15:17-18). “Stay in the city until you’ve been clothed with power” (Luke 24:49). His disciples are able to do supernatural things: exorcising demons, heal the sick and lame by simply laying hands on them, among other amazing things. But there are also simpler, but equally amazing things that we are able to do that are fruits of the Sprit. In a world that facilitates selfishness and indulgence, imagine being able to be kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. Jesus has given us authority over our flesh and its desires, and if you have ever experienced temptation, you know how powerful you must be to avoid temptation.
3. Passion: scripture tells us that “you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). When we identify with the death and resurrection of Christ we also identify with his Passion- His reason for living. We become people who wish to give up all we can in order to renew the relationship between our Father and our fellow men. This passion comes with energy and a life-force that is infectious. Around us, people feel alive and inspired. Because we have drank from His well, we become wells of living water ourselves (John 4:14).
This Easter, as we seek the risen Christ, as we seek to REPRESENT the risen Christ, let us seek after these things. Pray to God for your peace, power, and passion. Practice to show them to others, that they may see your Father (and brother Christ) and glorify Him.
Prayer focus: That God will revive us as He revived Christ that Easter day.
Elroy Galbraith
Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas