God’s Grace and Peace to you!

Soon we will again have the words, “Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!” loudly proclaimed in our sanctuary. Even today, in our part of the world, these are bold words of faith. But bold words of faith which we declare were not always spoken.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, on the last night that Jesus was with them before his crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples didn’t offer up bold words of faith. They turned and ran, leaving Jesus to face betrayal and arrest alone.

It was Peter himself who had declared not so long before Jesus’ arrest, “You and the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” The disciples’ knowledge was not enough to conquer their fear of the moment, and fear ruled over their hearts.

Fear caused Peter to deny his Lord three times. Fear kept John silent as he stood at the foot of the cross with Mary and he did not speak for his Lord.
After Jesus was crucified, fear continued to guide the actions of the disciples. Out of fear of retaliation from those who had pursued and successfully had Jesus crucified, the disciples locked themselves in an upper room.

We also know that they did not stay in that locked room. They overcame their fear of those who might seek them out as followers of Jesus. We know that they became confident and left that room to share the Good News that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead.

Yes, they knew that Jesus had died, but they also came to know that he was risen. They then lived boldly knowing that Jesus still lives! Their knowledge was transformed into conviction, and their fear was replaced with courage. Their love for Jesus was transformed into a love that took priority over everything else, a love so strong that it could not be set aside.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, their fear was overcome by courage. This is how the disciples were able to stand firm before the threats to their faith. This is how they boldly carried their mission to the world to tell everyone that “Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!”.
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This is the type of thing that often happens with believers as the Holy Spirit is leading them into relationship with Jesus. The time comes in the journey of a believer to move from fears such as what others might think to being convinced that Jesus lives and then to the deeper connection with Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.
As the church of Jesus Christ, we must be ready to serve Christ – with the power he sends – to endure any suffering and persecution the world may give, and along our pathway in life share with others all that Christ Jesus has done for us.
  
In Christ!
 
Pastor Bakker
 
29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”            Acts 5:29-32 (NRSV)