Bible Study Notes in Job- Chapter 3

Job 3



-After the seven days of silence (see Job 2:13), Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth saying, “Let the day perish on which I was to be born, and the night which said, ‘A boy is conceived (life starts at conception proof here).’” He went on to languish that darkness was that day of this birth and that God above should not care for it, nor light shine on it. Darkness and black gloom had claimed his life; a cloud had settled on it and terrified it. This darkness had seized his birthday, and it should not rejoice among the other days (or months) of the year. He wished that night had been barren with no joyful shouts of his birth. Leviathan, the great sea monster, Job says to those professionals who bring up curses, should have been roused to swallow up the day of his birth. In short, he wished this day when the LORD opened his mother’s womb had never been created. Further, he wished that he had died at his birth. This would have been better than the things he was experiencing now. An infant death would have been much more quiet and peaceful in his mournful spirit’s perception to the things he was experiencing. He longs for the afterlife, where “the wicked cease from raging,” and where “the weary are at rest.” There, in the afterlife, “the prisoners are at ease together; they do not hear the voice of the taskmaster. The small and the great are there, and the slave is free from his master (Job 3:1-19).”  These are the whims of a man in deep sorrow and grief.

-He wonders why light is given to the one suffering, and “life to the bitter of soul.” This brings to mind John’s opening words of his gospel concerning Jesus (John 1:4-5). He longed for death, but there was none of that. He was, in his poetic words, digging for it (it being death, an ending to the suffering) more than for hidden treasures. He would exalt to see the grave in this grief-stricken state. He was being honest. He felt “hedged in” by God. He groaned at the sight of his food (appetite gone), and his cries poured out like water. Fear encompassed him, and what he dreaded had come about in life’s circumstances. He was not at ease (shalah- to be at rest, prosper, be quiet, be at ease), and he was not quiet (shaqat- a peaceful state, undisturbed). He was not at rest (nuwach- to rest, settle down and remain, to repose, have rest, be quiet); turmoil (rogez- turmoil, disquiet, raging, trembling, trepidation) had definitely come (Job 3:20-26).

-*Application* Any counselor will tell us that these are the classic stages of grief that Job was going through. After the initial shock of what had happened subsided, the gloom and feeling of doom was upon him. He was so troubled in his spirit that he wished the pain and agony were over for good. Life had no meaning or purpose to go forward. He felt betrayed by God, but he wouldn’t curse Him. That was the good news, and an example for us. Life was not appetizing, terrifying, and tumultuous. There was no rest, no peace, no hope, no joy for a season. When these feelings hit us, remember that God is taking us through no matter what. His care is still a fact, even when our emotions are volatile and erratic. Cling to Him in grief, just like Job did. God is faithful even when we are waffling.





Verse to Memorize: Job 3:26

Bible Study Notes in Job- Chapter 2

Job 2



-There came another day when Satan appeared with the other sons of God (created beings) before the LORD of hosts. They presented themselves in subordination to the All-mighty. It is at this time the LORD asked Satan once more, “Were have you come from?” In poetic fashion, Satan answered, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” God asked the repetitive question, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity (important point here), although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” Satan went further though, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. However, put forth Your Hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your Face (another total lie here perpetuated by the adversary).” So the LORD gave more permissions, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life (Job 2:1-6).”

-Satan proceeded to go out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his feet to the crown of his head. It was so painful, Job had to take a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes of his wailing and mourning. At this point his wife begins to chime in with negativity led by a demonic spirit, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But, Job said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all his calamity Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:7-10).

-Now, Job had some friends, or what he thought were friends, who heard about all this adversity and came to him from their own place. There was Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made appointment together to come to their friend for sympathy and comfort. When they saw him at a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. Each of them tore their robe and threw dust over their heads toward the sky. Sorrow upon sorrow they observed in their friend. They sat down with Job on the ground for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking to him, “for they saw that his pain was very great (Job 2:11-13).”

-*Application* Maybe we can totally relate to Job’s condition. Physical and emotional torment is excruciating. Let’s think about the redeeming value in Job’s words today… “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” Let’s think about his enduring integrity and refusal to sin with his lips. We live in a “fix it quick” society that desperately tries to alleviate any pain or distress. Who wants to go through torture, right? The person who can handle the toughest times deserve a special place in God’s grace, mercy, and favor. We all can achieve that if we persevere. We can go one of two ways when tragedy hits, closer to God or further away. The choice is ours to make. What Satan means for evil, God means for good and the progress of His Kingdom (Genesis 50:20). The question becomes, how much can we bear? Thankfully, God promises not to lay on us any temptation that is too great for us to handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). So whatever we are going through, God has allowed it to bring us through it…stronger, more dependent, more wise, and more relational with Him. Praise God today for the trouble He allows to flow into our lives (Philippians 1:12; 3:8-15; 4:4-14).





Verse to Memorize: Job 2:10

Bible Study Notes in Job- Introduction and Chapter 1

Job 1



-Introduction: Many Christians tend to shy away from the book of Job, not wanting to even have the thought of tragedy, trial, or trauma that encompasses this book. What those who to attempt to avoid it fail to realize is that Job is a hero with a true relationship with God and a double blessing in the end (Job 42:5, 10). We must keep this perspective in mind as we venture through this work that sees God enter the equation of evil to produce perfect good (evil + God = good). Job is considered by most scholars to be the oldest text in Scripture with events that probably occurred during the time of the patriarchs around 2000-1800 B.C.. Job is the first of the poetic books in the Hebrew Bible. The setting is in the land of Uz, more than likely located northeast of the Promised Land near desert land between Damascus and the Euphrates River. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate God’s sovereignty and the meaning of enduring faith on the part of mankind to come to “see” God (in other words, to know who He truly is, Job 42:5). It addresses the age-old question, “Why do the righteous need to suffer?” God always works through suffering, or going through the bad to get to the great. Defeat turns into victory, and mourning erupts into endless joy. These are the great themes of Job’s life for our application. Other themes include but are not limited to: 1) Satan’s attacks and the limits of his authority, 2) God’s goodness, greatness, testings, and wisdom, 3) Pride, 4) Defending innocence amidst accusation, 5) Dying to self, and 6) Trusting with endurance. The structure can be described as such: Job is Tested (Chapters 1 & 2), Three Friends Attempt to Answer Job (Chapters 3-31), Elihu Attempts to Answer Job (Chapters 32-37), God Answers Job (Chapters 38-41), and God Restores Job (Chapter 42). Job was a man who had it all, lost it, and regained it again through his faith and action in a loving God. Think deeply as we venture into this epic of God’s transcendent plan.

(Ideas extracted from “New American Standard Bible: Life Application Study Bible.” Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, 1995, pgs. 834-836)

-Chapter 1: Verse one gives us the setting for this epic in the land of Uz, which was presumably in the middle east somewhere near the Euphrates River in ancient times. Job is introduced as the prominent human character and is described as being “blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil.” He was a prosperous soul and a material giant. He was very wealthy with a listing of his assets in livestock and servants. In fact, he was the greatest man of all the men of the east. His sons would go and hold feasts, “each one on his day,” in their houses inviting their three sisters to eat and drink with them. Times were extremely good in other words. When the days of celebrating were over and had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them all, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offering for them, wanting to purify them just in case they had sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Job was a repentant man and extended intercession. Life and liberty seemed absolutely sublime in this man’s world. He was right with God, his family, and his provision (Job 1:1-5).

-“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.” These give us some indication Scripturally as to who the “host of Heaven” are (Nehemiah 9:6). They are created beings who answer to the LORD. The LORD now speaks to His inferior-counterpart, Satan, “From where do you come?” Lucifer answers Him, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” The LORD proceeds to ask Satan a probing question that He knows all about (i.e. omniscient understanding of the end from the beginning), “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Satan, with his great deception and wrangled mind, responds, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your Face.” The accuser didn’t have full knowledge. We can see his limitations here for sure. The father of lies was certainly doing his thing, because Job never would curse God to His Face. The LORD calls Satan on his ignorance and enables in part, “Behold, all that he has in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” After this conversation, Satan departed from the presence of the LORD (Job 1:6-12). With this heightened tension, we can deduce that the enemy does, at least for this season, come into the presence of the LORD, since he is not yet in the abyss or the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-3, 10).

-The devil does his dirty work, which was allowed by the LORD ultimately for a redemptive purpose, on the day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the oldest brother’s house. A messenger came to Job with news that the oxen, while they were plowing, and the donkeys, while they fed beside them, were attacked and taken by Sabean (of southwest Arabia) raiders, and the servants were slain by the edge of the sword. This messenger alone escaped with the grim news. While he was still speaking, another messenger came up with further catastrophe. God’s fire from heaven came down and burned up the sheep and the attending servants. This messenger alone survived to bring this to Job’s attention. While this one was still speaking, another came telling of how the Chaldeans (of the region north of the Persian Gulf) formed three bands and raided their camels, stealing them away and killing the attending servants too with the edge of the sword. This messenger alone made it back to tell of the calamity. But, the worst was yet to come. A final messenger came as the third one was still speaking telling Job that his own sons and daughters, while they were eating and drinking their wine, were killed when a great wind came from across the wilderness and blew down the four corners of the house. He alone escaped the storm to tell the deadly tale. “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head.” This was a cultural sign of intense mourning. He fell upon the ground and worshiped though saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the Name of the LORD.” The text next says this in defense of righteous Job, “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”

-*Application* It’s so easy to blame God when things don’t go our way and bad things occur. While it does go through His Hands for permission, it is His rebellious creation that has done the damage. It is never from Him, but He works it all together for a good ending for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28, James 1:12-14). Let’s remember that today as we meditate on these deep things of the spiritual realm. Let’s be like Job in our fear of God, our righteous activities, our blameless ways, and our turning away from every evil thing. Let’s also keep lifting high the Name of the LORD even when He takes away. May we never blame God or sin in the times of suffering. Amen.





Verses to Memorize: Job 1:1, 22

Bible Study Notes in Haggai- Chapter 2

Haggai 2



-On the twenty-first day of the seventh month (Tishri, September-October on our calendar), the word of the LORD came again by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant of the people saying, “Who is left among you who saw this Temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?” But then, God told both Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people to “now take courage” and “work, for I am with you.” He reminded them of His promise made long ago when they came out of Egypt and that His Spirit “is abiding in your midst; do not fear!” This was an exhortive command in the jussive subjunctive framework by interpretation. God told them that He would, “Once more in a little while…shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.” He would “shake all the nations, and they will come with the wealth of all nations,” and the LORD of hosts declares He will, “Fill this House with glory.” “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine.” The LORD maintains, and “The latter glory of this House will be greater than the former.” He assures to give peace in this place (Haggai 2:1-9). What a promising future, what encouragement, right? I take this to refer to the Millennial Kingdom when Christ will rule over this whole earth (Isaiah 61, Ezekiel 36:33-38, Revelation 20:6).

-On the twenty-fourth of the ninth month now (Kislev, November-December on our calendar), still in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai a third time saying, “Ask now the priests for a ruling: If a man carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and touches any of these, will the latter become unclean?” The priests answered from their Law, “No.” Then, Haggai went further, “If one is unclean from a corpse touches any of these, will the latter become unclean?” Now the priests said, “It will become unclean.” Now the prophet makes his point, “‘So is this people. And so is this nation before Me.’ Declares the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.’” The LORD warned them to again “consider from this day onward,” and “before one stone was placed on another in the Temple of the LORD” in an effort to bring them back to Him in repentance and obedience. Their sustenance had been withheld. They had been smitten with a blasting wind, mildew, and hail destroying every work of their hands, yet they neglected to turn properly to their Creator and Covenant Keeper. God once more asks them to “consider from this day forward” that from the day when His Temple was founded there was “seed still in the barn” including the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree, which had not borne fruit. Even so, God promised to bless them (Haggai 2:10-19).

-The LORD spoke for the second time that day, and forth time altogether, through Haggai specifically to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah. God was going to shake the heavens and the earth. He was going to “overthrow the thrones and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations;” and “overthrow the chariots and their riders.” The horses and their riders would also go down on that day in violence by the sword declared by the LORD. Zerubbabel was chosen as the servant of God to be made like a signet ring according to God’s decree (Haggai 2:19-23). In other words, this signet ring guaranteed authority and authenticity, which refers to the Messianic line (Matthew 1:12-13, Luke 3:27).

-*Application* In a sense, all of us who have trusted Jesus are chosen in His family line (Ephesians 1:4). Let us thank Him for allowing His great and magnificent promises to be fulfilled in us through the blood of Christ Jesus (Hebrews 13:20-21). Let’s resolve to place a higher priority on God’s work in comparison to our personal comforts. When we give Him first place in our lives, He will help us bear much fruit and give us strength and guidance for the journey (2 Chronicles 16:9, John 15:5, Psalm 73:26, John 16:13). His encouragement is enough.





Verses to Memorize: Haggai 2:17, 23

Bible Study Notes in Haggai- Introduction and Chapter 1

Haggai 1



-Introduction: Haggai is a prophet called to help the Jewish people complete the rebuilding of the Temple in the post exilic period following their first wave of return from Babylon. Haggai is a contemporary with the prophetic book of Zechariah, and just before the events of Ezra (Ezra 5:1) and Nehemiah in the history of Israel. When the people returned, they set about a rebuilding project right away under the approval of the Persian King Cyrus. Jerusalem had been destroyed in 586 B.C. with the invasion allowed by God of Nebuchadnezzar. In 538 B.C., Cyrus, during the time of Daniel, allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their place of worship, the Temple, back in Jerusalem. The work began, but it was not completed. They began with the right heart and attitude, but slowness of work and wrong behavior eventually halted the project. As the work came to a standstill, the LORD began to use men like Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, Joshua, the high priest, and Haggai, the prophet, to get the work completed. The work had halted in 530 B.C., but then work resumed after ten years or so in 520 B.C. This short Word is written specifically for the people of God who had returned from exile, but it has far reaching affects for all God’s people today. Its themes revolve around the ideas of right priorities and the LORD’s encouragement. Right priorities can be summed up with the key verse of the text, Haggai 1:4, which states, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this House (the Temple) lies desolate?” It is so easy to get sidetracked from Kingdom work and do our own things. If we are not careful, we build our own kingdom over God’s. God always wants us to follow through and build up His Kingdom first and foremost. Therefore, we cannot make excuses. We need to set our heart on God’s priorities in righteousness. Our problems are never the volume of demands or the lack of scheduling skills, but our values. Our values must line up with God’s ideals. When we are more concerned about our own needs over and above God’s will, we all suffer. We must consider our ways (Haggai 1:7-8). When it comes to the idea of encouragement, remember that God’s Holy Spirit is with us and the final victory is ours in Christ. Haggai instilled hope, assurance, and vitality that the Messiah would eventually reign. God’s resources are infinite and He will give us all we need to complete our assignments in life. So, don’t worry and don’t be afraid. Further, we should give others encouragement along the way to do the same.

(Ideas extracted from “New American Standard Bible: Life Application Study Bible.” Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, 1995, pgs. 1546-1547)

-Chapter 1: In the second year of Darius, who succeeded Cyrus the king, on the first day of the sixth month (Month of Elul, corresponds to August-September on our calendar), the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai to the governor of Judah, who was Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest, who was Joshua, the son of Jehozadak. God was telling the people that it was time for them to get back to work on the His House, the Temple of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. and began to be rebuilt in 538 B.C. upon their return under Cyrus of Persia. It was now 520 B.C., and ten years since the people had done any work on the Temple. The LORD was fed up with His people’s lack of fortitude in the rebuilding of His place to dwell on earth (Ezekiel 43:7). Haggai relates God’s concerns, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this House lies desolate?” The LORD beckoned them to “Consider your ways!” The Jewish people had sown much, but harvested little. They had eaten, but without satisfaction. They had drunk, but it was not enough. They had put on clothes, but they were still not warm enough. The wages they earned were put into purses with holes. God said again, “Consider your ways!” He told them frankly that they needed to go up to the mountains and bring in wood to rebuild His Temple that He may be pleased with their human efforts and receive His deserved glorification. They had looked for much, but it had come to little. When they brought their stuff home, He blew it away. “Why?” the prophet asks by the Holy Spirit, “Because of My House which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house.” In other words, their priorities were totally screwed up. They had only thought of themselves, and they had not given credit and glory to God even in their return from exile. The LORD goes on with His indictment, “Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld its produce. I called for drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.” When the governor and high priest, men of influence, with all the remnant of the people heard these words, they obeyed the Voice of the LORD their God through Haggai the prophet, who was sent. “The people showed reverence for the LORD.” Then, Haggai, the one commissioned as a messenger of the LORD spoke again, “‘I am with you,’ declares the LORD.” The governor, the high priest, and all the remnant were stirred up by the LORD in their spirits to come and work on the House of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month of that same year.

-*Application* How many times do we find ourselves struggling in want and perhaps even need? Just like the children of Israel, we can neglect the things of God and do our own thing to our detriment. We are wandering sheep who go astray (Isaiah 53:6). Resolve to establish and keep the right perspective and priorities with God at the forefront of every decision and action. Bless His holy Name. Do His work in His House first. Remember, now His Temple is in us, the believers (Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Timothy 1:14). This is where we will find success and every great blessing. God has a way of showing His favor when we put Him first. He also has a way of keeping us wanting when He is low on our list of priorities.





Verse to Memorize: Haggai 1:4

Bible Study Notes in John- Chapter 21

John 21

-Jerusalem was not the only place that the resurrected-glorified Savior appeared. Jesus manifested Himself also to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (or the Sea of Galilee). Simon Peter, Thomas (or Didymus, the one who initially doubted, John 20:24-25), Nathanael of Cana, James and John (the sons of Zebedee, Mark 3:17), and two other disciples of Jesus were going fishing at the suggestion of Peter. They went out into the boat all night, but they caught absolutely nothing. When sun was coming up to begin a new day, Jesus stood on the beach, yet His disciples could not perceive that it was Him standing there. So, Jesus spoke to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They all replied, “No.” He spoke further, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” They cast in obedience and were so many fish they unable to haul them all in. Recognizing a repeat of a previous miracle (Luke 5:1-11), that disciple whom Jesus loved (probably John) remarked to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Peter realized this, he jumped out of the boat, again like a previous occasion (Matthew 14:22-33). He put his outer garments on and threw himself into the sea in excitement. The other disciples were more dignified. They came quickly to dock in the little boat, “for they were not far from the land,” only about 100 yards away or so. Plus, they had to drag in all the fish they’d just caught. When they arrived back on the land, they saw that a charcoal fire had already been started with fish placed on it, along with some bread. I’m sure this was a welcome sight for tired, hard-working eyes. Jesus commanded them to bring some of the fish they’d caught, so Peter went up and drew the full net of large fish to land (153 fish in fact). It was undoubtedly heavy, yet the net was not torn in this exercise. Jesus beckoned them now, “Come and have breakfast.” At this point, none of the disciples ventured to question Him any longer desiring to know who He was. It was quite apparent that this was the Lord. Jesus took the bread and gave it to them along with the fish. This, John says, was the third manifestation of Jesus to the disciples after He was raised from the dead (John 21:1-14).

-The discussion after breakfast turned pretty serious. Jesus questioned Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agapaō) Me more than these?” Peter responded that he loved him with a brotherly love (phileō). So, Jesus told him, “Tend My lambs.” Again, the Lord asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agapaō) Me?” Peter again replied with the same identification towards the Savior, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love (phileō) You.” Jesus said, “Shepherd My sheep.” Now came a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agapaō) Me?” By now Peter was grieved in his spirit and stated a third time, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (phileō) You.” This time, Jesus said, “Tend My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Jesus prophetically spoke here, and John was remembering these words under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The Lord was signifying by what kind of death Peter would eventually endure, and then He said one more time, “Follow Me!” As Peter turned around, he saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. This was the one who leaned back on His bosom at the last supper before His death and asked who would betray the King (John 13:21-25). This seems to be the author, the Apostle John, from what comes next in the text. Peter asks, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus explained, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” This statement went out to the brethren that this disciple would not die, but it was a misnomer. Jesus did state he would not die, but only that it could be His will to do that if He desired. John now states that this is the disciple, who was by the time of the writing of this gospel very aged but still testifying to these remarkable things. Then comes some form of collaboration from others in the conclusion of the text, “and we know that his testimony is true.” They go on to relate, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written (John 21:15-25).”

-*Application*- Our job as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ is to follow Him and make disciples of people preaching His gospel (good news) into all the world (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15). The Lord is with us to keep writing new stories of His abundant love, truth, and grace. Keep believing, keep working, the Kingdom is alive and active! This is how we all can tend and shepherd His sheep.

Verse to Memorize: John 21:25

Bible Study Notes in John- Chapter 20

John 20

-On the first day of the new week, which would have been a Sunday according to our methods of tracking days, Mary Magdalene came early in the morning to the tomb while it was still dark outside. What she saw probably puzzled her immensely. The stone encapsulating the tomb had been taken away. So, in haste she ran and came to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, presumably John, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Resurrection wasn’t even on her mind. She was thinking from a total natural perspective still at this point. The two disciples ran to the tomb immediately. The disciple whom Jesus loved got to the tomb first. I think John might have been doing a little bragging here J. He stooped in and saw that the linen wrappings were there, but he did not go in. Simon Peter then got there and went right on in to the tomb. He also observed the linen wrappings as well as the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ Head. It was not with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place all by itself. The other disciple then entered this tomb chamber. He saw and believed, but they both were yet to understand the Scripture, that Jesus must rise again from the dead (John 20:1-9).

-After these things, the disciples went away back to their homes where they were staying. But, Mary stayed behind, standing outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped and peered into the tomb. What caught her eye now was amazing! She saw two angels in white sitting at the Head and Feet, where the Body of Jesus had been lying. They spoke to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She replied that they had taken away her Lord, and that she didn’t know where He was. “When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but did not know that it was Jesus.” The Lord spoke to her, perhaps with a covering on His Head, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She initially thought Him to be the gardener of the area they were in. She replied, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus spoke again, “Mary!” She now perceived and called out to Him, “Rabboni (which means Teacher)!” Jesus remarked to her to stop clinging on to Him. He had important work to do in ascending to the Father. Instead, He wanted her to go to His brethren with this joyful news, “I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.” Mary Magdalene came back announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she joyfully and adamantly told them all these things that had transpired (John 20:10-18).

-As time kept rolling along on that first Resurrection Day, evening came. The doors of the place were shut where the disciples were staying, “for fear of the Jews.” All of a sudden, Jesus came and stood in their midst with His glorified Body. He said to them, “Peace be with you.” After He spoke these few words, He showed them His Hand and His side. The understatement of the chapter comes next, “The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” Again, He said to them, “Peace be with you.” Then, He went on, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” When He said these things, which He had actually spoken previously (John 17:18), He breathed on them and stated, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained (John 20:19-23).” I’m sure the disciples were ready to conquer now. They had witnessed the risen Savior.

-One of the disciples was not there with them when Christ appeared. This was Thomas, otherwise known as Didymus. The other disciples were telling him about the Lord’s appearance, but Thomas had his doubts, “Unless I see in His Hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later (that’s a pretty long time, right?), His disciples were again inside now along with Thomas. Jesus came back, through the shut doors, and stood in their midst once again saying, “Peace be with you.” He directed His attention to the doubting disciple, “Reach here with your finger, and see My Hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Dumbfound I’m sure, Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God!” He too had seen the resurrected Messiah. Jesus now taught a valuable lesson for us all, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John tells us that Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of the disciples from that point, which were not written in his book. “But these things have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His Name (John 20:24-31).”

-*Application*- We humans are pretty dense in the faith department sometimes, aren’t we? John continues to make the case for belief in his text. Jesus expects us to believe, that’s the simple truth. Completely trust His words and His actions. Also, be quick to accept the testimony of Spirit-filled followers of Christ who have seen His mighty works. Don’t be a doubting Thomas. Jesus is alive!

Verse to Memorize: John 20:31