I am Ascending - Part 1

Bryan Chapell: The long predicted Messiah has given his life upon a cross. He is taken the penalty of our sins upon himself, and now that he is taken and paid that penalty to show that it is it is now done the plan from creation itself that the sins of humanity would be paid for, he rises from the dead and the first one he speaks to is the one others will not even listen to. He speaks to Mary.
Guest (Male): So glad you joined us for today's Unlimited Grace, the audio broadcast ministry of pastor and author Brian Chapel. In today's episode, pastor Brian shares a lesson from John 20. Dr. Chapel investigates the days following Christ's resurrection and the glorious ways in which he revealed himself to his followers. You can find this lesson and many others when you visit unlimitedgrace.com. And while you're there, look for pastor Brian's book, The Multi-Generational Church Crisis. This compelling book asks the question of the church, what could be accomplished in the name of Christ if we could better understand each other? Let's hear now from dr. Brian Chapel as he shares the lesson, I am ascending.
Bryan Chapell: My life is is over. I just told 500 people that I had an emotional breakdown. If this gets out, my career is over. I'm dead. Some of you recognize the words of Brene Brown, a social researcher who had spent six years trying to discern the causes of emotional distress so that they could be measured and controlled and predicted. And at the end of that research, instead she had an emotional breakdown herself saying of course the physician could not heal herself. It was it was an acknowledgement of shame, a great statement of vulnerability and and having after said it recognized the impact of what he she had said. Brene Brown said to a friend, I am dead. If this gets out, it will destroy my career, my reputation. She had spoken to 500 people, but she said to her friend, listen, maybe if only six or 700 people see it on the TED channel on YouTube, it'll be okay. But if this gets further than that, I'm dead. Well, she needn't have worried. Not 500 not six or 700 saw it. Only 15 million people. 15 million people. Why did so many pay attention? Why did so many recommend to their friends, you have to see this. You have to see this. 15 million people because of what Brene Brown first said. She was actually analyzing the major cause of emotional distress, she said, was shame. And as she talked about shame and began to research it, she ultimately said, shame is ultimately the fear of being disconnected. That that if you really knew about me, who I am, my failures, my difficulties, my struggles, if if you really knew, you would disconnect from me. And it is that fear of discovery that drives shame, which is the greatest stressor, she said, in American life. And then she would say with great vulnerability and even knowing that I had an emotional breakdown. Why was she being so vulnerable? It wasn't a mistake. It was because she said that she discovered in her research that the great antidote to shame is empathy. Someone else who with arms open wide and humility will say me too. What you're going through, what you're struggling with me too. It's the obvious things. Not pretty enough, not smart enough, not slim enough. Or not meeting others expectations. Getting laid off or having to lay people off. A marriage failing, kids falling, being abused or abusing. Not meeting my own expectations, having to ask for help. All of them are are the essential same thing, the acknowledgement of if you knew what what's really going on in my life, you will disconnect and I can't trust you to say that. I have to deal with all of myself unless you are able to say me too. In 15 million people tuned in to just hear her say me too. You don't actually have to go to the internet to find people saying me too. You you can actually look in the Bible. The me too people are thick in the account of the resurrection. After all, if you think of who is saying me too here, there is there's a clear person named Mary. I mean, if you want to say it's difficult to deal with past pain, but me too, I've dealt with it. You have only to look at Mary. You know the opening words of this account. Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early. Who is that, this Mary Magdalene? Some of you may recall that in the Gospel of Mark, we are told that she is the one out of whom Jesus cast seven demons. Now I must tell you, I don't exactly know what that means, but I don't think it's good. That that somehow Satan is in control of of mind, of heart, of habit. And and what that consequence is, whether it's the clouded mind or the the hateful demeanor or the immoral life, I don't know entirely. But I recognize that when Luke in his Gospel describes Mary Magdalene, he not only talks about the demons, he says, linking to her to a number of women who worked with Jesus who were part of his entourage. He says she was not only one who had been having demons cast out, but was filled with infirmities, sickness too. And those of you who have been looking at the book of John with us these last months, you recognize that John is saying that the Jewish understanding of ones that had sickness was they were sick because they had sinned. Remember even the apostles said to Jesus when they came to the man born blind, Lord, who sinned? This man or his parents? If someone is sick, then they must have done something wrong. There is the obvious problem of Mary's distressful past. But against that disconnect from society and apparently from God is Jesus' response to her. She has been his connection. When the previous Gospels have talked about Mary, every time they mention her, she is in a group of women. Now you recognize some of the names like Joanna. Joanna who was the wife of Herod's main treasurer. Susanna, a wealthy woman who used her wealth to help support Jesus' ministry. And right where the Gospel writers are including Susanna and Joanna, they always include Mary Magdalene, the one out of whom seven demons had been cast, the one who had the infirmities as if to say she has been received. His arms were open to her. She she was accepted despite all the reasons that she could be rejected. She is received. And the fact that he is gone has to be devastating to her because it means that the disconnect could be happening again. and all the evidence is there that her past will come to haunt her again without Jesus. After all, it's so wonderful that she goes to the tomb first, but remember she runs to the disciples in verse two and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple and said to them, they've taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don't know where they have laid him. And instead of running to the officials to complain, they run to the tomb to confirm. Is she telling the truth? Is she get it right? After all, it's only Mary Magdalene. And some of their disregard for her may be evidenced a little bit later in the account. For you remember that as they then saw that Jesus was gone, verse nine, as yet they did not understand the scripture that he must rise from the dead, so the disciples did you catch it? went home. Who stays at the tomb? Verse 11, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb and as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb. They leave her unaccompanied and uncomforted. They go home. It's just Mary. Why would we spend time helping her? And then later in the account, you remember verse 18, Mary went and announced to the disciples, I've seen the Lord. And that he had said these things to her. But you remember how they responded to this great news of the great victory of the Lord. It was in verse 19. I didn't go that far. On the evening of that day of the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came. Well, it's just Mary who has said that Jesus has risen. And so instead of being filled with with courage and hope, what do they do? They go lock the doors and hide. After all, who's witnessed this? Well, it's just Mary. There there's total disregard for her. And and some of you would recognize what it would mean for Mary to be separated from the one who has given her acceptance and meaning and significance. It's evidence in all the accounts that are given to her which say time after time, she was the last one who seemed to care enough to hang around. She was the last one at the cross, remember? Disciples are gone except for John to whom Jesus says, remember John, take care of my mother. Mom, take care of John. And there was Mary and Mary Magdalene. And then when they put Jesus in the tomb and they roll the stone over the tomb, disciples all gone. Only Mary Magdalene lasts. She's still there. This is this desperate clinging. I have to be with them. He has received me. I have to be with them. I think of it in terms of of some friends of ours, some of you in the room know them. They had they had five boys and the mom wanted a girl. So they adopted a girl, delightful Delilah. Multiple handicaps of body and mind. But they received her and being the girl in the family treasured by the mom who just a few years ago then was diagnosed with her own serious health problems of the heart. In fact, one very emergency night when she was taken to the hospital, it looked as though she would not survive. And and while the boys grieved, Delilah was panicked. This is the one who has received me. This is the one who is taking me out of my orphan status. This is the one who is loving me despite my apparent flaws. This is the one who takes me over and over again into her heart. This is my if I don't have her, I've got nothing. And maybe that's why Mary is so desperate for Christ. She knows her past. She knows how it's affecting her present. And so she she clings to Jesus. And she's the first to go to the tomb the next morning. And then to reconnect with her. These wonderful things begin to happen.
Guest (Male): You're listening to Unlimited Grace, the audio broadcast ministry of pastor and author Brian Chapel.
Guest (Male): It may seem hard for younger Christians to believe, but people over 50 were raised during an era when 90% of Americans identified as Christian. These older believers were once part of a majority group that understood the mission of the church was to take control of our culture, to halt its evils. At the same time, Christians under 50 have lived their entire lives perceiving themselves as a minority that needs to make credible their faith to a secular pluralistic culture. These distinct experiences and perceptions have a profound impact on the priorities different generations have for church ministry. It's no wonder that younger and older believers don't always see eye to eye. In his new book, The Multi-Generational Church Crisis, dr. Brian Chapel asks the question, what could be accomplished in the name of Christ if we could better understand each other? This practical and hopeful book is backed by thorough research revealing how to open the lines of communication, appreciate the experiences that shaped each generation in your church, and unite in one mission to impact your community and the world. You can request your copy of The Multi-Generational Church Crisis when you donate online at unlimitedgrace.com or by calling 844-41-Grace. That's 844-414-7223. And now more from Brian Chapel on today's Unlimited Grace.
Bryan Chapell: She knows her past. She knows how it 's affecting her present and so she she clings to Jesus. And she's the first to go to the tomb the next morning. And then to reconnect with her. These wonderful things begin to happen. Number one, he speaks to her. Isn't that amazing? I mean, the most cataclysmic and wonderful event of all time has just happened. The son of God, the long predicted Messiah has given his life upon a cross. He is taken the penalty of our sins upon himself, and now that he is taken and paid that penalty to show that it is it is now done the plan from creation itself that the sins of humanity would be paid for, he rises from the dead and the first one he speaks to is the one others will not even listen to. He speaks to Mary. And and when he speaks to her, you recognize of course he calls her by name. He is fulfilling what he said was his role as the good shepherd in John chapter 10 and verse three. Remember, my sheep hear my voice and I call them by name and they follow me. It's it's it's really incredible. I mean, if you think if you were hearing a speech by the president, if if you were having the kings of the earth gather and talk about some great wouldn't you want to hear your name mentioned, you know? And and why? Why Bill Smith, he gave me this wonderful information. You you you just wait to hear your and and this most conclusive event of human history, the first one named and the first one addressed is Mary. The one out of whom seven demons had been cast, the one of infirmity, the one that others will not even listen to. Listen, in in the the places where they try to make a few dollars off of scandal, you and I know Mary will be perceived as a prostitute or even a lover of Jesus. That's not in the Bible. But it doesn't really matter. You don't have to go there. Let me tell you, she's a woman with a reputation. And Jesus speaks to her. What's more wonderful still is she speaks to Jesus to declare who he really is. In your Bibles, the language was she looks to Jesus and says, Rabboni. Now I must tell you, we we don't really know entirely what that means in verse 16. She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni. Now you must understand what what strangeness this is. She's there. Jesus speaks to her and says, why are you weeping? And she doesn't even recognize it's Jesus. Now there have been various explanations in history as to why that may be. You've heard them. I mean, is the fact that she doesn't recognize Jesus because he has now some sort of glorified body that that that he's special now in some way and in ways that we can't quite explain. You know, after all, he'd been beaten and bloodied upon the cross and and now he's appearing. Does she just not recognize who this is because he's now in a glorified state and it doesn't fit what she most recently saw? Maybe. That would be the mysterious answer. He's glorified in some way. There's there's an obvious answer. What time of day is it? It is what? Early in the morning. Maybe it's just twilight. Maybe that's why she doesn't see and understand who he is. The other reason is what goes by quickly in your reading that you may not perceive and that says she was weeping. Most of your English translations say something like that. The the actual language for their for the word weeping or crying is that she was wailing. She is out of control with grief and panic. He's gone. They've taken him away. I can even go to his grave anymore. And she is wailing. And so when Jesus says to her first, why are you wailing? Well, maybe it's just this veil of tears. Maybe it's this veil of emotion. Maybe it's just twilight, but for whatever reason she doesn't see him until he says Mary. And it is the intimacy of his heart loving her heart that makes her see and say Rabboni. It's only used one other time in the Bible. Most of the time when the word rabbi is used, it just means teacher, but only one other time in the Bible the word Rabboni. And and there you have to recognize that in the Jewish literature that term Rabboni is the term most frequently used to refer to God in Jewish prayer. Isn't that interesting? Mary is not just the first one to be spoken to. She is the first to declare him Lord. Sometimes we think it's great that from the lips of children burst praise, but the first praise of the risen Lord was the one from whom seven demons had been cast. A woman of reputation and infirmity. And Jesus said, you're the first to call me Lord. Isn't that wonderful? She's the first to see, the first to hear, the first to touch, and the first praise. What a privilege that Jesus gives to Mary. Some of you who have felt past shame recognize that until there is meaning and purpose in your life from the Lord himself, you wonder if things are really right. Yesterday Kathy and I got a letter from from my brother, the one who's in prison. And some of you will recall that he has the mind of an eight-year-old and struggles a lot in life. But the thing that we received from him, the letter yesterday had these words in it. I've been sending some Bible verses, says my brother. Verses from the holy Bible to my nieces and nephews. It's my first time doing that, he says. I hope they like it. And Brian, here's one for you. Lord, show me your unfailing love and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the Lord will say because he promises peace to his people. What does it mean when God gives you a message to say to others? It means that you represent God. And and what did Jesus say to this Mary? Go tell my brothers. Mary? She doesn't have reputation. She doesn't have significance. They're not listening. But no, Mary, I have received you so much. I delight so much in my heart of who you are to me that you take the message. And I think of my brother, they're in prison just with the sense of God has chosen him to tell his nieces and nephews. He doesn't have a wife. He doesn't have other family, but but God he feels has chosen him to take the message of the Gospel. And in doing so, I recognize it gives his life meaning. It's it's not just the problem of dying he's dealing with. He he is dealing with the problem of living. Where is their significance and meaning and hope and acceptance in this world, in that prison? And the answer is it's in the heart of Jesus. And it's evident when when God says to Mary and when God says to my brother Jeff, go tell somebody the hope that you have. I I think enough of you to put my message in your mouth.
Guest (Male): That's pastor Brian Chapel and you've been listening to Unlimited Grace. If this message has been an encouragement to you, you can find a collection of more valuable resources at unlimitedgrace.com. When you visit, you will find today's message and many others from pastor Brian. While you're there, you can sign up for pastor Brian's daily devotional sent right to your inbox. Please be sure to join us next time as once again we endeavor to put Christ at the center of our efforts so that lives might be transformed by his unlimited grace.
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