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+ The Good News Reality! +

Board For Evangelism Newsletter: April 2009

We all have expectations. Expectations can be dangerous. If we expect something to happen—and it doesn’t—we can feel disappointed, confused, or angry (even at God).

Did you know that the disciples of Jesus were feeling disappointed, confused and maybe a little angry on the day that Jesus burst from the tomb ALIVE? They were feeling this way, even on this happy day, because the expectations they had for Jesus’ ministry that did not square with what had happened. How powerful expectations can be.

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Now, Jesus had told His disciples ahead of time that He was, in reality, going to suffer and die and THEN rise again. When the disciples heard this, it didn’t square with their expectations. (They expected that He would take up His throne again without suffering or dying.) They argued with him, “Never Lord!



This shall never happen to You.” When Jesus suffered and died (on
the cross) just as He told them, their unfulfilled expectations left them disappointed, confused, even angry. When He rose again on Easter, an angel was sent to calm them: “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!” Even then, they did not believe. Aren’t we just like them? When our lives don’t turn out as we “hope” we act as if Jesus is still dead.

But, He is risen just as He said! When Jesus appeared to the disciples later than day, he gave them the faith to receive the best of all realities: through His death at the cross all sins ARE forgiven and by the power of His resurrection there IS eternal life for all who believe! What momentary disappointment, confusion or anger can compete with this? AMEN.

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