Pilot Knob Lutheran What Will It Take? 1/18/2023
What will it take for some people to believe that Jesus is God, the savior of the world; to believe he is the way, the truth, and the life? Will it take a sign, an answered prayer, a vision, or a miracle? Would an unbeliever recognize a sign or a miracle; after all it could be a coincidence or luck. Perhaps the best sign and miracle of all would be someone rising from the dead.
When Jesus road into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, it fell on the heels of him raising Lazarus from the dead after being dead for three days. There was absolutely no mistake that stinky, rotting Lazarus was brought back to life at Jesus’ command. That should say something about His identity, and it did. John 12:17-19 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
That miracle did grab people’s attention as they followed him into Jerusalem. Even the hypocritical Pharisees admitted defeat temporarily – “the whole world has gone after him.” So, maybe the raising of the dead would convince people. Should we take ‘near death experiences’ the same as someone rising from the dead? Are they the same? Probably not, but perhaps the result will be the same. John 19:14-15 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.
Near death experiences nor any other miracle can compare with what Jesus did for Lazarus. If anyone is going to believe that Jesus is God’s son, savior, Messiah, and redeemer, that should convince them hands-down! However, it did not then and it will not today. Jesus tells a parable of a rich man and Lazarus (a different Lazarus) in Luke 16:19-31. You should read it if it is unfamiliar to you. The last verse is telling: Vs. 31 ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” God uses his Word (Moses and the Prophets)and the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and provide faith to believe. May we not underestimate the power and action of God’s word, the Bible.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today, 18, 4:30 confirmation, weather permitting.
January 22, 9:00 AM Morning worship. Sermon: Wisdom and Power.
10:15 Sunday school.
The next GriefShare will be January 29, 2:00. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this, encourage them to attend.
Annual meeting February 12, 10:25AM
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
Sermons may be heard on KIOW 107.3 FM Sunday mornings at 7:00. Spread the word. If you would like to support this outreach with a contribution, it costs $55 each week.
