Main Street Jesus

There were three individuals whose hope was not only deferred,

1. Mary Magdalene was desperate, 20:1,2. (page 89 in pew Bible) and she helped prepare the body for burial, but they weren’t finished and had to wait until Sabbath was over. So she comes at dawn on that first day to finish the job but His body is gone! Here’s a woman whom Jesus had cast 7 demons out of her. She has come to show her last act of love and
2. 1. Thomas, Jesus’ disciple doubted- Haven’t there been times when you have doubted? You have doubted yourself. Doubted what others believed. Jesus appeared to the disciples that evening but Thomas wasn’t there.  Thomas is like the Eeyore of the disciples.  When Jesus wanted to go into Jerusalem when they were threatening to kill him, Thomas said, (Slide) “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.” John 11:12.  Now when they told him that Jesus was alive, he doubts them, John 20:25.
   2. But it’s Peter the disciple who publicly and repeatedly denied the Lord.  Let me ask you a question, “Have you ever lied?”  Of course you have! We’ve all told lies- to our family, to our friends, to others, to ourselves.  We kid ourselves to think that our lies will never catch up with us, but they do. God hears us in our lies.  Peter denied the Lord and it was killing him. (Slide) “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” Luke 22:61.