Whatever Next?

When something astonishing happens, one of the phrases we often use to express our amazement is, “Whatever next?”

Our expectations have been blown away, and we don’t know what to expect next. As the announcer used to say at the beginning of each Stingray puppet show, “Anything can happen in the next half-hour.”

The Easter Story is just such an astonishing event. The first disciples were blown away. They couldn’t take it in. They had to go and see the empty tomb for themselves. They had to see the empty grave-clothes lying there undisturbed. Cleopas and his friend had to sit down to eat with the risen Jesus, before they recognised him.

The disciples in the Upper Room back in Jerusalem thought Jesus was a ghost, until he asked for some fish and ate it before their astonished eyes. Thomas had to touch the scars in Jesus’ hands, and put his finger into the spear wound in Jesus’ side, before he would believe it really was Jesus.

But then Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God.”

Thomas was a real sceptic. He wasn’t going to take anyone else’s word for it. He may have been slow, but when he got there, he knew the significance of what he was seeing and touching.

“My Lord and my God.”

Paul was arresting and attacking the Christians, but Jesus appeared to him, and Paul was stopped in his tracks.

How embarrassing can you get? Here you are - the chief investigator for the Jewish Chief Priests - chasing down these pesky disciples of Jesus, when - Bam! You are confronted with the risen Jesus.

Instead of hiding away in a dark room and staying silent - Paul goes straight to the market place and starts telling everyone that Jesus really is the Messiah. Paul knows - He met Jesus - risen from the dead!

The apostle Paul continues the story in his letter to the Corinthians, written only 20 years after that first Easter.

Paul writes that Jesus met with a wide range of people over a period of 40 days after he rose from the grave. Paul records that one time Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at the same occasion.

Paul says most of those 500 were still alive, some 20 years later. The Corinthians could track them down, and check out Paul’s story. But why would he lie. He had already changed sides from Jewish to Christian. Paul was committed.

Paul was arrested by the Romans, because at that time it was illegal to be a Christian. Roman citizens had to acknowledge that the Emperor was divine, that he was God. Christians refused. Thousands of them were tortured, fed live to the wild animals in the circus, or burned alive.

But why would they give up this life for nothing?

They were convinced it wasn’t for nothing. Jesus had come from God, convinced them he was God, and invited them to come with Him. They were convinced. Death wasn’t the end. It was the beginning. So there was no need to fear death, except for the pain of dying itself - and that wouldn’t be for long.

Jesus told the respectful criminal, who was crucified on the Cross next to Jesus, that he would be with Jesus in paradise that very day.
Some people today mock the suggestion that there could be life after death. They mock the idea that there could be a God.

Over 80% of the British population believe in some kind of God. Scientists have recently come to the conclusion that in all their studies of the universe, they can only account for 4% of the total energy and mass of the universe. The other 96% is unknown.

Now if you don’t know about 96% of the universe, it’s pretty ridiculous to say, “There is no God.”

You can’t see the air, but you can breathe it.

Water is a pure clear liquid, unless you cool it when it becomes solid ice, or heat it when it turns into invisible steam.

Heat and light pass through your solid glass windows.
Invisible electrons carry electricity along solid copper wires.
Mobile phone signals pass through solid walls.

Scientists don’t know why matter has got mass.
They are still trying to find the God Particle.

I am confident that the claims of the New Testament are true.
When I pray with God, I have learned to hear his whispering voice.
When God tells me he is going to do something, it happens.

You can Try Praying for yourself. God is waiting to hear from you.
You can download a Try Praying booklet from the Try Praying website.

Jesus told his disciples that his Father had plenty of rooms in his house, and that he was going to come back and take them there.

The invitation wasn’t just for his twelve closest friends. It was for everyone who would put their trust in Jesus and follow Him.

God’s offer is open to you, and to all of your loved ones. God is trustworthy and faithful. He keeps his promises.

He is gracious and merciful. He gives us eternal life even although we don’t deserve it. He forgives our sins, even those we are not aware of. He washes away our guilt and sin, and invites us in.

All of us. Not just the people you think are nicer than you are. Even you, with all your shortcomings, and weaknesses. He invites you.

Your room is already waiting. Waiting for you to check in.
Some of our number are there already. I can’t wait for my turn.

What will it be like? Jesus told us already. The Kingdom of heaven is like a feast.

Come - for all is now ready.