Three Days and Three Nights of Guilt and Shame

Where do we find the sweet peace of God that we often need?  We can learn from the disciples following their three days and three nights of guilt and shame. 

We begin this morning by reading of some of the events witnessed by the disciples which developed their confidence in the authority of Jesus over men.

I.  The Authority witnessed by the disciples.

The claims of Jesus being the promised Messiah, the Son of God, His refusal to give His approval to the lifestyles of the religious leaders in Israel, as well as His public rebuke of their rejection of the Word of God, led to their hatred, condemnation, and attempts to arrest and execute Him.  The disciples witnessed Jesus’ power to simply walk away from them.

Luke 4:29-30  And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

John 7:30  Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

John 8:59  Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

John 10:39  Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

The disciples needed to know beyond any doubt that Jesus is Lord and that He has power over all.  Once they declared their trust in Him, He began to explain to them that the time was coming when He would not walk away from those seeking to kill Him, but they would accomplish their purpose –

II.  The Announcements made to the disciples –

Matthew 16:21-22  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Matthew 20:18-19  Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Luke 18:31-33  Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

Matthew 26:21  And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Even though they trusted in God, that He had sent His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, as the Messiah, the Saviour, their minds and emotions were not prepared for what was going to take place, beginning that night with the arrest of Jesus.

III.  The Attitudes of the disciples   Mark 14:29,30

  A.  The Agony

Filled with guilt and shame, but knowing not what else to do, where else to go, for they had declared that they would stand with Him!

Mark 14:29-30  But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Mark 14:31  But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Mark 14:40  And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

Mark 14:50  And they all forsook him, and fled.

  B.  The Assembly

Can you imagine how they felt?  Their fear of the Jews and of the Roman soldiers was stronger than their guilt and shame at abandoning the Lord.  How could they ever show their faces to one another again? 

This house, this place of assembly was their only refuge – John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews…

Imagine Peter’s thoughts:

 Had John told the others how Peter had denied the Lord in the courtyard?

Had they tried to console one another with reasons why each had fled into the darkness?

Had the women questioned them about the events of the previous night, what happened in the Garden, and where was Judas Iscariot?

Luke 24:8-12  And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Luke 24:13-14  And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

Luke 24:19-24  And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Luke 24:33  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

They sought answers in the Assembly!!

  C.  The Appearance

John 20:19-21  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

How precious was His presence and His Words – “…Peace be unto you…” 

We needed your presence and we needed your peace and we found the answer to our needs here in the Assembly.

Conclusion:

Colossians 3:12-15  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Matthew 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

This assembly is the place of Truth.

2 Corinthians 1:18  But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

This assembly is the place of Love.

1 John 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

This assembly is the place of Service.  “…come to do thy will…”

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This assembly is a place of Sending.

Acts 13:3-4  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Are you thankful for this Assembly, this church today?

A place of refuge from the confusion and fear found in the world.

A place of Truth, forgiveness, peace, friendship, fellowship, love, joy, holiness –

A place of serving, a place of sending.

Are you truly thankful today?