John 20:19-20

“19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”
John 20:19, 20, NIV

The resurrection was a resurrection of power. Imagine how Hollywood would show the transformation of someone who didn’t just come to life after death, but whose body had been radically changed. We would see wires plugged in, perhaps a cocoon-shaped tube around the body. A switch would be pulled and bright lights and erie sounds would herald in the new man. But this new man would be different. He would be sort of like the incredible hulk who was totally different from his alter-ego.

In history this kind of transformation took place. Jesus was born in a stable and raised in a good Jewish home. He went around the countryside preaching and teaching anyone who would listen. He was reported to have performed miracles on people, even raising people from the dead. But his bruised and battered body was nailed to a cross and there he died. Strong men lasted for days, but this man, in part because of the severity of his injuries, died on that cross.

They buried him in the tomb of a rich friend. A stone was rolled over the door and a guard placed around the tomb to ensure the disciples did not come and steal his body.

When the stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty. One might assume they came to the wrong tomb, but that did not happen. Several people came to the tomb to check and many of them had been there when Jesus was buried.

Now the disciples are sitting in a room and the doors are locked. Because they worked with Jesus, they were afraid of imprisonment, crucifixion and death. They didn’t want anyone to catch them by surprise. Not very smart, these disciples. A locked door also meant they couldn’t get out, but that probably didn’t enter their minds.

As they are talking, Jesus appears in their midst. Seriously! Jesus is physically right there. They see his hands and the nail holes are showing. He is right there in front of them. Science fiction became real life before science fiction was even invented.

But though Jesus was the same, he was different. His body was the same but different. He literally could walk through walls. The locked door did not stop him. The transformation of his body was total. It did not receive the splinters, but it could receive food. In three days the wounds had healed, but they were still evident. No mention is made of the marks of the crown of thorns or scars from the beatings he took. But the nail holes in his hands and feet were still there.

What power! What might! What an incredible amount of energy would be required to transform his body.

Paul says, “His resurrection was a result of the power of God.”

Ro 1:4* and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

The resurrection demonstrates the power of God. We first saw this power in creation. God spoke and the worlds came into being. He spoke and light shown on the earth. He spoke and flowers and trees came into existence. He spoke and animals appeared. What came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken, by the power of God.

But then we see his power in the resurrection. Jesus’ body was physically changed. This was through the power of God.

In verse 16 Paul goes on to apply this idea of power to the gospel.

Ro 1:16* I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

There is power in the gospel. When a person believes that Jesus died for him, was buried, and rose again for their sin, a power comes into their lives that cannot be explained away.

We call it conversion, but Paul says “it is the power of God.”

What does this power do? God’s power saves us from sin. It doesn’t save us from trouble or problems or poverty or sickness. It saves us from sin. Sometimes a person that is saved from sin will be saved from further trouble, problems, poverty or sickness, but that is a by-product. Jesus, through God’s power, saves us from sin.

Last week we spoke about how the message of the cross frees us from condemnation. We were enemies of God in our mind, alienated from him. But no longer. God has forgiven and accepted us through Christ.

The message this week is that God’s power that is seen in the resurrection is found in the gospel and is available to help you live a different life.

The songwriter said, “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought. Since Jesus came into my heart…” You do not have to live the old way, act the old way, walk the old path. In Christ, your life can be new.

You don’t have to live according to the old labels. People call you an adulterer, a liar, a violent person. They said you were uncaring, inconsiderate, unloving and spiteful.

The gospel is the power of God to save you from those old sins. Trust Christ and God’s power will help you make incredible changes.

Life today does not have to be like life yesterday. With Christ in your life, things can be different. But you have to trust Him. You have to follow Him. You have to live the way he wants you to live.

Your marriage can be saved. Your relationship with your parents can be improved. Christ can help take away your attitude which is blocking your peace and joy.

Trust him.

Your marriage can be new. Your relationships with your parents can be new. Your relationship with God can be new.

There is power in the resurrection. This same power saves. What does save mean?

It means what it says. Are you lost in guilt? The gospel can save you.

Are you lost in sin? The gospel can save you.

Are you lost in fear of death? The gospel can save you.

For Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes.

Do you believe what I am saying today? It’s from the Bible. It’s gospel. You can be set free from sin. The power of the resurrection applied to your life can transform you as sure as Jesus’ body was completely changed.

I believe in Jesus.

I am not the person I used to be.

My life can be different.

Through the resurrection power of God.