Friday, November 16, 2012

Harmony of the Gospels


181. Appearances to the disciples- Matt. 28:16-20, Mark 16:12-18, Luke 24:13-50, John 20:19-29

 

-We see in the Scriptures a myriad of appearances by the risen Lord Jesus that are in the resurrected state. He has unique abilities and powers not normally associated with flesh as we see Him disappear from places and come into locked rooms with His coming. He is of flesh and bone by His testimony and He walks, eats, and talks just like He did before His death. At times He is unrecognizable, but suddenly He is recognized. *Application* What could this mean? It is interesting to contemplate the possibilities of the resurrected body, which Paul discusses more about in 1 Corinthians 15. This we know is an imperishable body that is put on the believer by God and will glorify Him without sin or corruption any more. We shall be like Christ in our resurrected bodies one day! Not that we are gods or anything like that, but we have the promise of resurrection (John 11:25-26, Romans 6:5, 1 Corinthians 15:40-50, Philippians 3:10-12).

-Jesus speaks peace over those He comes in contact with in these passages. He rebukes unbelief once again we can also see as we read these accounts. Thomas is a major doubter, and his story is told. But there are others that Matthew mentions that saw Him in Galilee, but were still having a hard time coming to grips with this risen Lord. *Application* It is always difficult to believe in the supernatural. We in our flesh have a tendency to attempt to debunk these realities and rationalize the given facts to the point of unbelief. This is always going to be a temptation in the modern-naturalistic age in which we live. Fight this temptation and trust God!

-The Lord also made it a point to instruct in His resurrected state. How awesome it must have been to be those men walking alongside Him to Emmaus or the disciples whom He taught all the Old Testament insights from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (Luke 24:27, 44-47). His primary teaching though looked forward. He commissioned them as He was about to leave earth and initiate this current church age, or dispensation. His principal imperative command was to make disciples in all the nations (people groups) by 1) baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), and 2) teaching them to observe everything He commanded (Matthew 28:20). His promise was His Holy Spirit that would be with us all always as believers until the end of the age. In Mark we see some additions in the power that the Lord says we will have over the enemy and nature itself (Mark 16:17-18). Miracles and signs will follow the true believers in this venture to acclimate the Kingdom in this earth to His Word and the Lord’s Way. *Application* The power that was endowed upon the original believers is still readily abundant to us today. It is sad that lack of belief throughout the church age has quenched and grieved the Holy Spirit from doing more at times. The Lord has promised us His Spirit and all that goes along with it if we will simply tap into His authority. Let nothing hold you back from accomplishing all that He has planned for you. It is more than you can think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). You are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37); therefore, build His Kingdom as you go!

 

Verse to Memorize- John 20:29

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