Thankful that Jesus even calls someone who fumbles the good news, like me

I recently wrote a Bible Study which examines the reactions of Jesus’ followers as they discovered that He had risen from the dead on Easter morning. My writing is nothing special. It lists the instances of Jesus’ appearance to His followers and considers their response. You would think that Jesus’ friends and disciples would have leaped with joy at the good news that He had risen from the dead. But, their initial reactions are fear, doubt, denial, and guilt. Somehow, the fact that Jesus had risen seemed too good to be true!

I’ll give you a chance to study these reactions for yourself if you want. Take out your Bible and look at the fear of the women when they found the empty tomb in Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, or Luke 24:1-11. Consider Mary Magdalene’s despair in John 20:1-18, despair which caused her not even to recognize Jesus when He appeared to her. Read and think about the spiritual blindness of the two disciples walking to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-34. Meditate on the fact that, on Easter night, the 10 disciples were so afraid that they locked the doors (John 20:19-23), and that Thomas’ heart was so broken he held fast to his doubt and unbelief (John 20:24-30). Do you recognize in yourself the guilt which Peter exhibits in John 21:1-18? And, how could the disciples have been so dense that in Matthew 28:16, that they still doubted? How in Acts 1:3-7, as Jesus prepares to ascend into heaven, could the disciples ask a question which seems to have totally missed the purpose of Jesus’ ministry?

There are various ways to respond to the disappointing reactions of Jesus’ disciples and friends to His resurrection. We can react with disgust at their weakness. Or . . . we can be honest with ourselves about our own weakness and failure, our own doubt, our own fear and guilt. Admitting our sin, we can find encouragement that we are not the only ones with feet of clay. We also often fail to follow Jesus with faith, with love. and with wisdom. But, even that first Easter, in the face of the greatest good news that our world has ever seen, almost without fail, the disciples missed Jesus’ victory!

Perhaps a personal story can illustrate how God’s people can fumble the good news. In 1976 I was a first-year seminary student who was taking a class in Evangelism, and was participating in a teaching retreat on evangelism. Students were trained, paired up, and sent to visit folks who had visited Epiphany Lutheran Church in St. Louis. A key to this effort was actually a ‘trick’ question: “If you died tonight are you sure you would go to heaven?” I’ve now learned I don’t like trick questions. But, as a seminary student I knew what Scripture teaches “that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” (Romans 3:28) Yet, as I examined my own heart, even though I knew that Bible verse and Scriptural truth, I could not say that I was SURE I would be in heaven. I had doubts. I personally learned that, even in the face of God’s grace in Jesus, I trusted my sin more than I trusted Jesus’ dying and rising for me. Considering our own failures, maybe we shouldn’t be surprised at the reaction of Jesus’ disciples and friends!

However, the even better news is that Jesus knew His followers’ weaknesses and He still continued to love them and to care for them, to forgive and to encourage His wavering followers. In spite of their failure of faith, Jesus spoke personally to Mary’s despair, to Thomas’ doubt, and to Peter’s guilt. In addition, Jesus still had important kingdom work for these weak human beings. He sends the women to inform the apostles of His resurrection. Jesus tells Peter to take care of His sheep and lambs. Jesus still calls Peter to follow Him. And, in all four Gospels and the book of Acts, Jesus sends these men and women to bring this good news into the whole world. Jesus gives the most important task this world ever received to weak and sinful humans.

Time and again as pastor, when I have asked church members to do work of service and faith for our Lord and His church, I have often received the reply from the person I am asking that they are not strong enough, they are not smart enough, not holy enough to do the job. The truth is we all fall short. But, the Lord who sent His disciples and went with them into the whole world is with us. Remember, after His resurrection Jesus told them, 18. . . “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Because Jesus has risen He has authority over ALL things. In that authority Jesus calls and sends his followers. As we go teaching and baptizing and making disciples, Jesus is with us at ALL times. We weak sinners can face all the challenges of faith God gives us. The words of our victorious, risen Savior to His disciples are also true for us. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Where do you feel inadequate or too sinful to answer the call of Jesus? Remember, the disciples stumbled, even on that first glorious Easter. The victory belongs to Jesus. He is with us and He gives strength, grace and truth.