Luke 12:27-28 “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”
 
WE left Jesus’ kingdom teachings in February to consider more closely John’s gospel regarding Jesus’ death and resurrection through the Lenten season. I pray that God used those words of Jesus to his disciples to form in your heart a deeper faith. My hope is you trust and believe in the power of Jesus’ resurrection for your daily life. Your Lord is alive! No earthly opposition will separate you from God’s love and power when you keep your heart connected to Jesus’ heart.
    This is certainly an underlying theme of Jesus’ entire ministry. We see this heart relationship a bit differently in these next verses from Luke 12:27-59. Today, Jesus’ teaching is about your clothes.
    This is an appropriate topic for our home. People have brought to our home many bags filled with clothes. These once favored clothes have been given to our ministry. We will sell these clothes May 6 to raise funds to help us Teach Pastors and Feed Orphans in Africa. In other words, these material clothes will prayerfully be transformed into “daily bread” for hungry children and the eternal “Bread of Life” to those who hunger for God’s gospel.
    Our Lord’s question, “How much more will he clothe you?” is Jesus’ assurance the Father will care for your physical needs – not wants, but needs. More importantly, the Lord wants you to receive his eternal clothes. This has always been God’s way. Note the Father’s first act of grace in response to Adam and Eve’s sin. He physically clothed them to cover their suddenly shameful nakedness. Genesis 3:21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. This is God’s love.
    Thus, Jesus’ gracious words here are to first assure you God will care for your physical life. Look to Scripture, and you will see God blesses those who obey him – not with wealth, but with their basic life needs. Trust God for your physical clothes.
    Second, Jesus’ words are for your eternal life. The apostle Paul describes this in Galatians 3:27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Your heavenly Father came to his own in the Garden of Eden. He comes to you now - even in your sin and shame to say, “I love you. Turn from the world and turn to me. Be clothed in my truth. Wear my righteous and know by blessing.” 
    Do worry, shame and fear tear your faith clothes? Mend the tears with the tattered clothes with Christ’s love, life, resurrection and ascension to Heaven. Have faith your Lord’s truth will always be exactly what you need.
 
Prayer: Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. (Ps 104:1) Amen.

Read John 21:1-15
 
John 21:4-6 As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water's edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then he asked them, “Young men, haven't you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. 6 He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.”

DOES Jesus stand close by you, but you don’t recognize him? The disciples were busy at their work, but they were unsuccessful. Certainly they were focused on what they might do to change their circumstances. They needed to catch some fish, so they could eat and earn some money. They were hoping for a good day, but they hadn’t started well.
    Then Jesus comes to them. Does he mock them or ask them what’s wrong? No. He knows what’s wrong, and he is the Lord, who wants to help his friends. He asked a question to affirm he is aware of their circumstance. And he responded with help. “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.”
    Living a resurrected life means we listen to the Master, who has stepped into our lives to help us. He knows the obstacles that consume our time and keep us from recognizing him. He has taught us how to live life differently, to stop futile pursuits in lifeless waters and to “throw our nets” to catch the full life Jesus delivers to his own. (John 10:10b I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.)
    In love, the Son of God offers you his help through his Helper and Comforter, the Holy Spirit. In the Spirit’s indwelling presence, you have daily opportunities to meet Jesus through the reading, hearing and doing of his Word.
    As John records his words in this passage, “It is the Lord!” we are to do the same. At the moment of his recognition, he and all the disciples understand that their resurrected Lord has transformed their empty nets to full. He has done the same for your life as you proclaim, “It is the Lord!”  
 
Resurrection Truth: Jesus wants you to recognize he has come to help you.
 
 

Read John 20:24-29
 
John 20:28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
 
WHAT does it take to confess, “My Lord and my God!” to the risen Christ? Thomas, who had professed doubt, touched Jesus’ wounds. He confessed faith. All his senses – touch, smell, hearing and seeing confirmed to Thomas the risen Christ stood before him! As Mary Magdalene had exclaimed, “Rabboni!” Thomas also exclaimed, “My Lord!”
    Suddenly his life was transformed to live into Jesus’ resurrection. From that point on, nothing stopped Thomas. He went to the far ends of the earth to proclaim the gospel. The millions of Christians in India today look to Thomas as the apostle who came to their land to fulfill his role in the Great Commission. He ultimately gave his life to the cause of his Living Lord.
    What about you? Are you ready to proclaim the risen Christ? Are you ready to say to him, “My Lord and My God?” Be of faith. When you are, you will be making a commitment to follow him to places you don’t know. He will lead you. You will follow.
    Go ahead. Do it. Living more for him, you will live less to yourself. Your life will be different and new as you grow closer and closer to Jesus.
 
Resurrection Truth: When you confess, “My Lord and my God!” be prepared to go where he directs you.
 

Read John 20:19-23
 
John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”

NOW it’s time for the doubting disciples to know the full revelation of “Jesus was crucified. Jesus was buried. Jesus is risen.” Jesus had repeatedly prophesied this would happen. These men who had seen Jesus command the demons, wind and waves should have realized he would also command death to be gone. Wouldn’t they have stood before the tomb to await their risen Lord? But it seems their doubts and fears almost made the miss Jesus.
    Thankfully, Jesus wouldn’t let them remain where they were. He walked through the locked doors, transforming doubt to faith and fear to courage. Here is the Resurrection and the Life revealing the good news of the Kingdom of God to the men he had chosen to be apostles – anointed to deliver the message of salvation to the world.
    I’m glad you stopped being afraid, Mr. Disciples! I’m glad you found joy and power in the risen Christ. If you hadn’t, who would have told the good news? Would I know Jesus today if you had stayed afraid? Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you for following your Lord. You are God’s instruments to teach the nations that I would ultimately join with you to call Jesus, “My Lord.”
    Now my life is changed, made new, born again. My life is resurrected. I had better stop being afraid. I had better go and tell.
 
Resurrection Truth: You, too, can be faithful to offer the revelation of the good news.

Read John 20:11-18


John 20:11-18 but 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. 15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.


A few days ago, we talked of the inexpressible anguish and pain our Lord suffered on the cross. That’s all gone now! There is no pain, no sorrow, no heartache, and no regrets! Our risen Lord has come, and he has made himself fully known!
    Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (Psalm 14:7)
    The Lord has acted. The Lord has risen. The Lord is spoken, and there is nothing that the gates of Hell can do. Satan is conquered. Death is “softened” and life reigns.
    I’ll bet Mary is glad she stayed at the tomb! We know from Matthew and Luke that other women were with her. How exceedingly glad they would have been! They rejoiced in the risen Lord! They “went to the disciples with the news”. The women became the first evangelists and missionaries, the first emissaries to represent the risen Christ. The disciples and others probably laughed at Mary, told her go home. After all, that’s what they did. If Jesus was alive, he certainly would come to them first.
    Ah, Mary, your grief was enormous. Your joy is so much more! No matter what anyone said to you, you know he’s alive. You saw and touched the risen Lord! Now, for the remainder of your earthly life, you will walk in the power of the resurrected Jesus Christ!
    
Resurrection Truth: Jesus is alive. You must tell.