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Message Notes: 07/04/24
After his resurrection, Jesus starts setting things right. In his interactions with people following his victory over death, we see that in Jesus we find value, identity, and purpose - three things that every human desires at the deepest level!
VALUE
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:8-10
In this patriarchal, even misogynous society, where women were inferior to men, this is extremely progressive, Jesus was revolutionary in his treatment of women. Here he restores dignity by choosing these two women to be the first carriers of the Gospel message - "Jesus is alive!" *
Know that Jesus values you, irrespective of what culture, tradition, or society may say!
IDENTITY
5When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17
Here Jesus is restoring Peter into a relationship based on love, following Peter's great betrayal. Loving relationships are foundational for the formation of identity.
We often base our identity on our achievements and failures, pronouns, orientation, job titles, bank balance, etc.
Know that: through Jesus, your truest (core) identity is a child of God, loved and accepted, irrespective of your track record!
PURPOSE
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “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 28:17-20
The charge is given to all - those who worshipped and those who doubted.
We can tend to disqualify ourselves from the great commission because we don't know enough, have doubts, or are not "spiritual" enough or "holy" enough.
The charge is given to those who SHOW UP. Jesus doesn't differentiate here!
Know that: in Jesus, you have a divine God-given purpose - to love God, love people, and carry the good news of the Gospel!
Salvation is not only to be seen as a way to escape hell and get into heaven. It must be seen in the grand narrative of the Kingdom. It is about becoming a disciple of Jesus equipped by grace to do what Jesus did - and helping people find their value, identity, and purpose in Him
So, keep showing up, doubts and all, and find value, identity and purpose in Jesus and alongside others in his Kingdom, allowing Him to shape you and form you to become more like him.
The position that women are inferior has persisted until modern times in society and to an extent in many churches. See:
In Why Can't Women Do That? Payne and Huffaker p46 - 50
How God Sees Women, Williams - p28
What the Bible Actually Teaches on Women, Giles - p176