After the Resurrection
Greetings in the name of the Lord!
I have been contemplating on this next writing all week. Of course, we all know the story of how Jesus died and rose again but I have been thinking about when He walked the earth just before His ascension.
Jesus spent 40 days on the earth after his resurrection commissioning the disciples to teach concerning the things he had taught them. He also instructed them to baptize in His name.
After the resurrection of Jesus the Roman soldiers had no explanation as to what happened to Jesus’ body so they paid the guards to lie. Thus the disciples went and locked themselves in a house afraid for their lives. Matthew 28:11-15
John 29:19 ¶ Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 ¶ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
24 ¶ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 ¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 ¶ And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 ¶ Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Why This Gospel Was Written
30 ¶ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Thomas doubted but Jesus took the time to show him the truth. He took the time to show that the resurrection was real to everyone. There was no doubt that He was really alive.
Seeing Him gave the disciples hope! Jesus gave them instruction. He said go preach the gospel to all the world! But the very first thing He did was breath on them the Holy Ghost. He basically breathed His Spirit on them!
John 20:21 ¶ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Over and over He compelled them to preach the gospel!
It is so important to understand the story didn’t stop at the resurrection! The resurrection was an example to us that when we repent and crucify our flesh on our cross and are baptized (just as Jesus was) we can’t stop. Jesus clearly told them… there is more! Go to the upper room that I have prepared for you and wait!
Wait for what? The promise of the Father! Jesus told Nicodemus that you must be born again! You will be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire! Read Acts 1. Jesus said John baptized with water but you are about to be baptized with the Holy Ghost! He went on to say after the Holy Ghost comes upon you, you will receive power to be witnesses! This is telling us that when you receive the Holy Ghost you will have the power of Jesus Christ inside of you.
John 14:23 ¶ Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 ¶ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, was sent in the name of Jesus Christ! If we love Him we will keep His words!
John 7:37 ¶ In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
I am drawn toVerse 38. This verse let’s us know that we need to know what the scriptures say about believing on Him. Believing is an action word! Being a Christian (going to heaven) requires action from us. If all we had to do was believe in our heart then that sounds like we are just thinking about it. No action needed! But when Jesus said “as the scriptures have said”! That turns it into a whole different thing.
The disciples believed with all their heart but Jesus said it’s not enough, Go! There’s more!
We can’t settle for almost! We must receive all that Jesus has for us! We must obey all of the words of Jesus! There were people that only believed part of His word but He said depart from me I never knew you! They had no relationship because they didn’t want it all. They only wanted the miracles, signs and wonders!
Matthew 7:21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I desire to be in covenant relationship with Jesus Christ according to scripture! I want to hear Him say “Well done thou good and faithful servant”!
Our prayer today: Lord, give me courage to believe as the scriptures tell me to believe. I must be saved at any price! Open my eyes and my heart to truth and let me see for myself all that your word has for me! In Your precious name, Jesus I pray! Amen!
