I can't leave the resurrection accounts just yet. The LORD keeps calling me and us to them.
The Empty Tomb in Jerusalem
Been to Mao's tomb in Tiennmen Square in Beijing, to Paul Revere's grave in Boston, to Grant's Tomb in the city. Been to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Washington, DC. Men of God like Hudson Taylor, the missionary to China, are buried where they served.
One grave is unique. It has no remains! It is empty. Joseph of Arimithea's which Jesus was laid to rest in.
1. His Greeting was so Encouraging!
Not "I told you so." (Don't you hate that kind of greeting?)
Not "What is the matter with you guys for not believing?!"
Not "Look at you hiding out because you are afraid."
Not "Is this any way for the followers of the King to behave?"
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
We condemn ourselves, others condemn us
What a Greeting!
A greeting of grace and mercy, forgiveness and love.
How do you greet those who have failed you? God give us grace.
How do react towards those who let you down, broke promises?
How do you respond to those who struggle with their faith?
Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth! As the Father sent Him, so may we go! So may we greet!
It takes time to arrive at that place of grace but oh how freeing it is!!!
Peace:
a state of national tranquillity
Israel then, like America today, was in a state of political upheaval. There was great dissatisfaction, a sort of longing for the old days.
exemption from the rage and havoc of war
peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
the Messiah's peace
the way that leads to peace (salvation)
of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is
the blessed state of devout and upright men after death
These were the things Jesus was bestowing on His followers, His disciples when He first saw them after He rose from the dead.
2. His Grace is So Empowering.
He blessed them with the Holy Spirit by breathing on them.
A blessing for the moment.
It was instantaneous. If Jesus breathes on you and says these words it is going to happen!
A blessing for the days ahead.
They would be led by the Spirit, empowered by Him. The early church was not concerned about money, programs, size, etc. the overwhelming preoccupation of the church in Acts was whether you had received the Holy Spirit. It did not care what the government thought.
A blessing for all of the days of their/our lives.
It is for today.
Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
A blessing for eternity.
Sealed with the Spirit.
The guarantee
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 5:5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Ephesians 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
3. His Love is So Amazing.
Jesus comes to those who are struggling with their faith. vs.24-29
Thomas struggled for a whole week because of doubts.
It can be for a lifetime but many times it does not need to be!
Some are weak in their faith. Not shipwrecked.
1 Timothy 1:18-19 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.
Bear with the weak.
Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Help those who doubt.
Jude 1:22 Be merciful to those who doubt.
to help one afflicted or seeking aid
to bring help to the wretched
Help those who have withdrawn emotionally or physically from the fellowship of believers. They need it!
Jesus let them thrust a spear in His side. He also let Thomas put his hand there. There may be a little bit of Thomas in all of us.
*Be satisfied with the Word of God.
*Look at Christ.
Rich wounds, yet visible above!
-Seals of His death
-Wonders of His Grace
-Proof of His Suffering
-Memorials of His Love for us
-Signs of His Finished Work
Read about His Passion.
Contemplate His Sufferings.
Jesus was revealing more of Himself to His disciples after the Resurrection. More of His Grace, Mercy and Love.
More About Jesus!
Confident of this, that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, on the Day of Christ Jesus.
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