Easter at Church of the Highlands 2022 - Tears, doubts, and failure.

 

1.  Jesus is drawn to the broken hearted.  

He was with  Mary Magdalene.  When you cry, God notices. 

 

John 20:11-14

New International Version

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

 

Psalm 34:18

New International Version

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

 

2.  Jesus comes for the doubters. 

He did for Thomas. Jesus is not bothered by your doubts, so reach out to Him.  

 

John 20:24-28

New International Version

 

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”    

 

 

3. Jesus comes for the failures.  

 

Those who are disappointed in themselves.... Like Peter. 

 

In John 21, Jesus found Peter after he had gone back to his previous job which is fishing.  

Peter was so disappointed in himself for abandoning Jesus during His execution on the cross.  

Jesus met Peter where he was, and called upon the imperfect love that Peter had for Jesus.  God used Peter to preach the sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2.

 

It was the the same story with Adam and Eve when they hid from God after they disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit.

Sin causes the loss of innocence and shame.  

 

It was the same in the end in Revelation when Jesus calls out to us to forgive our sin. 

 

Revelation 3:20

New International Version

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

 

God never gives up.  He still reaches out for you.  Where are you spiritually?  

Jesus takes 999 steps toward you.  

Will you take one step toward Him?

 

Tell Jesus.  Please forgive me.  Be my Lord and Savior.  Take over my life.  Amen.