The Way, the Truth, the Life: Easter Hope for Believers

There is great excitement for me every year when we come to this day.

This year there has been some exciting news, if you keep up with archaeology and things like that, because they have been studying the Shroud of Turin. You all know what that is: the cloth that was laid over Jesus at the time of his death, the cloth that Scripture says he folded up and laid neatly after his resurrection, and that bears an image of Jesus. They have been studying it since 1972 with the latest scientific tools and technology.

What they have found, using the newest and best equipment, is that the image on it has not been painted or drawn on. It is like a photographic negative. They say the only way that image could appear is if a burst of energy, greater than anything we can produce in this world, hit the cloth in just a few hundred-thousandths or billionths of a second. That kind of energy cannot be reproduced. We cannot find a power source in this world to match it. That power points us to the full power of God in the resurrection.

If you were here at the Holy Week readings, you heard some words from Matthew 27. Turn there with me, because there is something we sometimes just skip over. We see it, we read it, and we move on. But it is important to see and recognize, and then we start to notice it all through Jesus’ life: this power, the fullness of the power of God that resided in him.

In Matthew 27, starting at verse 50:

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.”

This is the moment of his death, his last breath. At the moment his spirit left his body, the fullness of the power of God had a tremendous immediate effect right there.

Verse 51 says:

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.”

When people talk about the Shroud of Turin, some say, “This looks like some kind of nuclear reaction.” But look here at what the exit of the Spirit of God from Jesus’ body did to the earth around him. Everything was affected: not only the curtain in the temple and the rocks, not only the earthquake, but more.

Look down to verse 52:

“The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.”

They were not just shaken out of their tombs; they were raised to life. A mass resurrection took place in the tombs around him. Those who believed were brought to life because the Spirit of God did a miraculous work as it departed Christ’s body.

Verse 53 continues:

“And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”

Think about what this reaction caused: the earthquake, the tearing of the temple curtain, the opening of graves, believers raised to life who walked into the city. And what was the reaction to all this?

Verse 54:

“When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God.’”

The very ones who had mocked him, cursed him, judged him, cried “Crucify him,” and accused him of blasphemy now said, “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

The third day. The third day.

One of the accusations they used to justify crucifying Jesus came from his own words: “Tear this temple down, and I will build it again in three days.” He was not talking about the stone temple that stood in the temple courts. He was speaking of the holy temple of God—his own body—where the Spirit of God resided. They heard that and cried, “Blasphemy!”

Now go with me to the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John.

What happened on that third day is that the very same power that exited Jesus’ body—the fullness of the power of God that shook the earth, opened the tombs, and raised the dead—entered back into the body of Jesus. That life‑giving power raised him up.

We should not be surprised, because we have already heard Jesus in John 10, beginning at verse 14:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Jesus was already telling us what was going to happen. He has the authority to lay down life and to take it up again—his own life and anyone else’s.

Think of Lazarus. “Master, your friend has died. If you had come when we first called you, he would not be dead.” And Jesus cried, “Lazarus, come out!” Wrapped in grave clothes, decomposing, Lazarus’ body rose full of life again and walked out of the tomb. Jesus alone has the power to lay down life and pick it back up again. How great is that!

Now turn to John 14.

It is important that the world know this. It is important that the church believe this. It is important that the church know that the very same power of God that resided in Jesus Christ now resides in you. It resides in you; it resides in me.

Even if nothing else in your lifetime ever happens that makes you say, “Wow, that was the power of God,” one day will. One day, the one who said, “I have the power to lay it down and to pick it back up again,” will come and lift us all up, in bodily form, out of the grave and take us to be with him where he is.

Nobody shouted “Hallelujah.” Nobody jumped up and down. I do not know about you, but I am ready for that day. The only thing that keeps me going is that I have a promise: that I will live with Christ in his kingdom forever. This old broken body of mine will not make it, but I will, in a new body.

The one who has the power to lay down life and to pick it up again said these words in John 14:6:

“I am the way.”
The way to what? The way to God.

“I am the truth.”
The truth of what? The truth of God.

“I am the life.”
He shows us the life we should live, but he is also the power of the life to come. And he gives that life to those who believe in him, trust him, and follow him.

Some folks say, “Preacher, that’s just a spiritual feel‑good thing, just a metaphor.” No. It is a physical reality. If you study long enough and deep enough, and look closely at the resurrection, you will find that secular historians of that day—not Christian writers—document the life of this man Jesus, his death on the cross, and the evidence of his resurrection. It is not just a feel‑good story. It was a real event. And he ascended into heaven in bodily form and sits at the right hand of the Father, waiting for the Father to say, “It’s time. Go gather my children.”

Until then, we are called to be witnesses of the risen Lord. We are called to walk in the excitement of sharing one of the earliest confessions of the Christian church, going all the way back to Acts: “The Lord is risen.” “The Lord is risen indeed.” That was their greeting to one another in public and in the church.

We are called to be witnesses to the resurrected Lord and all that he is, so that others can have the opportunity to believe. Church, if we fail to be that witness, who in our families, among our friends, or in our workplaces may not have life in the end? Is that important? Is that important? Is that important?

If he has saved us, and if his Word says that God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him, then it is up to us to be his witnesses. It is up to us to walk around like we have the power of God within us—because we do. And one of the ways we share that power, and have the opportunity to use that power in a mighty way, is through prayer. We are called to be a praying people.

Some say, “Oh, preacher, prayer doesn’t make that much difference.” Yes, it does.

You have all heard me talk about these stories, but I am going to tell you again because they matter.

Ernest Holland was lying in intensive care. His vital signs were almost flat on the monitor. His daughter called the preacher. We were at the preacher’s house when the call came. We went to the hospital room, saw what was happening, and heard the doctor say, “Any moment now.” We prayed at Ernest’s bedside with his family and then left. On the way back we said to each other, “Well, I guess that’s the last time we will see Ernest alive.” We did not really expect that prayer to change anything; we just wanted to comfort the family and thank God for all Ernest had done for the Lord.

Four days later—on Easter Sunday—the same day everyone expected Ernest to have already died, he was in the choir loft at Thabor, playing his tuba in the band. He lived eight more years without any problems. That is the power of God, and God used our prayers.

Then there was a fellow named Mitchell. He seemed to have nine lives, but his last accident was critical. He was T‑boned in a car. We were on our way back from the beach when I got the call: “Mitchell is in ICU at Baptist. They had to airlift him. He’s not going to live. His mom and sister are there. Can you go?” So I went.

Mitchell was a skinny guy, but his injuries had caused his body to swell badly. He was barely hanging on. We prayed over him in ICU and left. On my way home, halfway back, the phone rang. It was his sister, frantic and unable to get the words out. I thought, “I should have stayed longer, so I could be there when he passed.” Finally she said, “He opened his eyes! He’s talking! The doctors say he’s got a chance now.” Mitchell came out of the hospital and lived about ten more years.

Later, when he was strong enough to have me over, Mitchell said, “Preacher, can I tell you something? When you came to see me after the accident, I wasn’t really there. Do you know what I saw?” He said he was in a place that was incredibly beautiful. He was walking around, amazed, looking at everything, wondering, “What is this place?” Then he heard a voice and turned around. A man came up to him and said, “Mitchell, you can’t stay here right now.” Mitchell asked, “Why?” The man answered, “You can’t. It’s not time. You can’t stay here.” Mitchell said, “Then I opened my eyes, and there I was in the hospital with the doctor, my mom, and my sister looking down at me.” He asked me, “Do you know who that was I saw?” I said, “Yes, I do. I know exactly who that was.” Mitchell had been in the presence of Jesus. And the one who has the power to lay down life and pick it up again picked Mitchell up, sent him back, and raised him up.

I will not say it was because of me or my prayer, but I will say that God did his work because someone cared enough to pray. If we will learn to be a praying people, we will learn to tap into the very life that is within us and in others—the eternal power of God that raised Jesus from the grave, will raise us from the grave, and can rescue others from the clutches of death.

We have a marvelous gift in Jesus. Nothing else in this world can compare. Brothers and sisters, if that does not give you the energy to jump up and tell people about Jesus, then I must boldly ask: Have you truly known him? If you have not, he stands ready to give you his gracious, life‑giving power, to wash away your sins, to stand you up, and to hold you so securely that no one will ever snatch you from his hand.

I wanted us to wait and pray after this message because we have that power present in us and with us today. It is in that power that we must pray today.

We have a quilt here. We are going to pray over that quilt. I am going to open our time of prayer and invite you to lift up a name in that power or to pray in that power, however the Spirit moves you, in the power of our risen Lord who resides in each of his followers. With that quilt, it is time to pray.

This quilt is for the husband of Jennifer Vi and for my son Jimmy. He is going to have total knee replacement surgery on Tuesday. The Scripture she selected is 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” The prayer request is for total and complete healing from the surgery and for relief from pain during recovery. Until the surgery he cannot take any pain medication, and he is really feeling it right now.

Let us pray together.

Father, on this day we know the power that resides in you. You spoke and creation came into being. Not only did you speak and create, but you sent your Son into this world in human form and filled him with your power—the power to give life, to lay it down, and to raise it back up again. You gave him power to heal, power to restore, power to save. In him that power resounded. Now all who believe in him are indwelled with your Holy Spirit. That very power is in us. Father, we believe—without any doubt—that you can do all things. We believe it. We have seen it. We know it can happen. But we also know that all things are in your will, and we trust that will.

So today, here and now, together, we lift our prayers and trust you to work in the lives of those on our hearts. Father, hear our prayers.

Father, you understand and know and see the lives of everyone you have ever created. You know the hearts, minds, bodies, struggles, and needs of every one of us—especially those lifted up by name. We remember Linda, Bernie, Jean, Kay Fulp, and Bonnie as she settles into her new home. We remember so many others we pray for regularly. We ask that you bring your restoring power to those who are sick, those who are healing, and those who need your touch.

We pray that you will meet the needs of those who are in need in this world, whatever those needs may be. And most certainly, Father, we pray for those who are walking in spiritual death, lost in their sin, with no desire for you and no knowledge of you. We pray for their souls, that your Holy Spirit would work in their hearts. We pray for opportunities for you to send us as your witnesses, so that through our witness and the Spirit’s work they may encounter Jesus and receive life.

We pray for your church in this place and all around the world. Make us strong in spirit, strong in truth, and strong in our witness, so that Jesus may be lifted up and draw people to himself and so that you, Father, may be glorified. You have said that you wish none to perish, but that all should come to life through Jesus Christ.

Father, may your will be done in all these things. May your will be done in this church. Your will be done.

We ask all this in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord. And everyone said, “Amen.”