***This sermon focusses on the Markan Version.***

What triggered their panic buttons? The disciples thought they saw a ghost. J. B. Phillips’ version says, “they screamed ... they were absolutely terrified ... they were scared out of their wits ... But Jesus spoke quietly to them, 'It’s all right, it is I myself; don’t be afraid!'" What triggers your panic button? Several months ago, soon after we had installed a smoke alarm, my wife was broiling steaks to entertain guests. The alarm went off in a room nearby, and she panicked. Fortunately, no disaster, the smoke from the oven had set off the alarm. We turned it off, and closed the door. Now when we do steaks, we close that door.

Is your panic button easily set off? Can you control it? When thunderstorms occur, a child screams, a telephone c…