Lindsey Blair and Bobby Gilles recap and discuss Pastor Jonah Sage's Easter sermon from Luke 24:9-27.
Lindsey Blair and Bobby Gilles recap and discuss Pastor Jonah Sage's Easter sermon from Luke 24:9-27.
Lindsey: Welcome to the Midweek Checkup. My name is Lindsey Blair and I’m joined by Bobby Gilles. This past Sunday Pastor Jonah Sage preached our Easter sermon from Luke twenty-four.
Bobby: Pastor Jonah encouraged us to prepare to be surprised by hope. But if you missed the sermon or need help remembering, let’s do the Midweek Checkup.
Lindsey: Jonah began by acknowledging that Easter is a day of hope, when we hope that the night is almost ever: no more school shootings, wars, no more sickness and death. It’s hard to hope. And when hope feels hard, we want to escape. This is what two disciples of Jesus felt like after the crucifixion, as they were walking toward Emmaus. And along the journey, Jesus appeared and began talking with them, although they didn’t recognize him.
Bobby: God was with them even though they didn’t know it. God is close to you, even now. You may not see it or expect it but just like Jesus asked them, “What are you all discussing,” God comes to you with questions, not condemnation. These disciples poured their hearts out about their sorrow and fear. Then Jesus, grieving like a father watching his children make a painful choice, said, “Why do you find it so hard to believe? Then he talked them through the scriptures, explaining that they were all about him.
Lindsey: He helps them to understand…but that did not help them to see.
They wanted more from this visitor. The Bible lesson was not enough.
The answers were not enough. They begged him to stay for dinner. And he did! As soon as Jesus broke the bread they recognized him. After Jesus disappeared they went back to Jerusalem, acknowledging their hearts had been burning within them as Jesus talked.
Bobby: Jesus is with you, even if you don’t see it. He is meeting you in your place, at your pace, even now. He is not setting you up to tease or chide or condemn but to save, inspire, and heal. Be prepared to be surprised by hope. Expect his coming. Expect his nearness.
Lindsey: You are not forgotten. Hope is not lost. He loves you, he won’t stop pursuing you, and he is with you because He is risen. Be prepared to be surprised by hope.
Bobby: Next Sunday we’ll continue our series by finishing the tenth chapter of Hebrews. And in Bible Fellowship we’ll discuss part of the first sermon in the history of the church after the Holy Spirit filled the initial 120 Christians on the day of Pentecost. Join us and bring a friend.