April 18, 2021                                                                                   Text:  Luke 24:36-49

Dear Friends in Christ,

            I think you’ll recognize the last name.  Charles Ponzi became infamous in the 1920’s.  Before he perfected his pyramid scheme he had already been in trouble with the law.  He had gone into a Montreal business with no one in the office, found their checkbook, and wrote himself a nice bonus though he didn’t work there.  He served three years and when his mother, who was living in Italy inquired about his employment he wrote home and said, “I’ve got a job as the assistant to the warden at a prison.” 

            Ponzi’s scheme promised returns of 50 and 100 percent.  He used postal coupons and he kept it going as long as he had investors.  When that house of cards fell apart his investors lost 20 million dollars about 250 million in today’s dollars.  His name is known for this type of swindle.  You know it as a “Ponzi Scheme.”

            Most people do not fall for this scheme anymore because they see it as too good to be true.  We are suspicious and distrustful . . . but people still get duped every day.

            We might think of the Gospel in the same way.  God gives up His only Son to die and come back to life.  This seems too good to be true.  People have been there before.  Look at the disciples in our text, they “disbelieved for joy.” (v. 41)  However, as we will see in our sermon for this morning, the gift of the death and resurrection of Jesus is one promise that we can absolutely take to the bank.

“DISBELIEVED FOR JOY”

            Other than reading those words in our text, I don’t believe I have ever used those words in that order.  Have you?  I disbelieved for joy when the Cubs won the World Series.  I disbelieved for joy when Illinois won the Big Ten Tournament.  I disbelieved for joy when Toni said “yes” to my marriage proposal.  We just don’t talk that way. 

            So how would we define “disbelieved for joy?”  The heart is too small to take in all the joy at once.  Maybe the reality is not real.  Luther calls this a curious statement.  Fear and fright first hold up faith, it is then held up by the very opposite, joy.  Grace is altogether too great and glorious to take it all in. 

            Let’s see what led the disciples to get to that point.  The disciples were gathering and wondering.  In steps the Savior.  Hold it – it’s a spirit.  “Guys, it’s me Jesus.  Why do you doubt?  Look at me.  Touch me.  I have flesh and bones.”  This is what prompts the “disbelieving for joy.”

            A few years back we changed banks.  The boys and I went in to make the change.  In the course of our conversation, the bank employee said I could do online banking.  I blurted out something that gave a little embarrassment to the sons.  “I told the guy I don’t do online banking.  I want to touch.  I want to feel my money and come to a branch.”  Most of you know I am that way about a lot of things.  I want to see and interact.  I would have fit in well with the disciples.

            What do you need to see to believe?  Do you need to see Jesus eat?  Many of you like meals together.  Would this have you “disbelieving for joy?”  Here, sit next to Jesus and have some fish.

            Would you “disbelieve for joy” once Jesus started telling you how the Scriptures needed to be fulfilled?  Here He is the living proof of everything the writers in the Old Testament were pointing towards.  He is sharing the peace with them.  He is sharing that peace with you. 

            The message is “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (v. 47)  Don’t we have great joy in knowing that for the sake of the death and resurrection of Jesus our sin against God has been forgiven?  He spared no expense.  This is no Ponzi scheme.  This is flesh and blood sacrificed on a cross.  This is flesh and blood come back to life.  This is flesh and blood dining with disciples.  This is flesh and blood that appeared to many in the next 40 days.  “You are witness of these things.” (v. 48)

            The resurrection of Jesus is for your joy.  Repent of your sin before God.  Repent of your sin before one another.  Live in the joy of the Gospel.  Live in the joy of restored relationships with one another.  It is not too good to be true.  It is true.  Christ has come back to life . . . and you have “disbelieved for joy.”

                                                                                                                        Amen.