Wednesday, May 13, 2009
John 20:19-20 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, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
THE ACCOUNT OF THE RESURRECTION: JESUS' PROMISE TO LIVE CONFIRMED
The Bible is full of references to the resurrection of Jesus. So full, in fact, that it is a shame that many times we get pulled away from the Easter message even during the season of Easter. Whether it's because the accounts are so familiar, or because it is felt that the Easter message is too repetitive, it is often seen that something else too soon takes its place. As we heard earlier this week, the Easter message is an essential part of our message as witnesses of Christ.
Consider again the verses of John 20 above. It was Sunday evening, the day that Jesus began to show Himself alive to His disciples after His death on Calvary. Jesus had already appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11:18), to the other women (Matthew 28:1-10), to Peter (Luke 24:34) and to the two who were traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). Now, after hearing about the risen Lord from all of these (they all came to tell the disciples), Jesus also appears to a group of disciples gathered together that evening. So many witnesses! So many appearances! Jesus showed Himself alive to His followers and their sorrow was turned into joy, just as He said.
The resurrection appearances of Jesus proved to His followers that what Jesus promised He had now fulfilled (Luke 24:44-47). Jesus promised to rise again, and He has fulfilled that promise.
The records of these accounts of Jesus' resurrection confirm Jesus' promise to live for us as well. At the conclusion of this chapter John writes: "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:30-31).
May we never tire of the precious Easter message!
