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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