John in his Gospel lists only Mary Magdalene as the first visitor to the tomb. This is unquestionably the same visit when she went with the other Mary. She came on the first day of the week (Roman, Saturday night or Hebrew, night of Sunday) we do know that she came while it was yet dark. John 20:1 When (this is important) she arrived, the tomb was already opened. It was the two Mary’s who would carry the message to the others and in doing so created quite a stirring among them until they raced to the tomb.
Prior to the arrival of the women to the place where Jesus was entombed there had been a tremendous manifestation of the power of resurrection and a great miracle was accomplished. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven. It is necessary that we properly identify the Angel of the Lord who appeared here. Note, it was not just, an angel, but THE Angel of the Lord. Plainly speaking, the Angel of the Lord, is a theophany where Jesus appeared for a specific purpose in the Old Testament. This Being, seen here was not a created angel but the Lord Jesus Himself. Mt. 28:2 It was the Angel of the Lord who stayed the hand of Abraham when he was about to sacrifice Isaac. Isaiah proclaimed Him to be the Angel of His Presence who journeyed with Israel during their wilderness experience. Isa. 63:9 AS the Angel of God, He was their light and guide. Ex. 14:19-20.
Jesus on the cross had committed His Spirit into the hands of the Father. Most assuredly, at that moment His Spirit, went to be with the Father in the heavenly realm. That which was placed in the grave was His body, His house, in which He had lived for some thirty-three and one half years.
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In the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus we have the perfect example of the triune nature of man and the difference between each part of man. The body is no problem. We see Him hanging on the cross. Too often we do not differentiate between the soul and the spirit of man. Even in the scriptures the two are used interchangeable. There is however a great difference. Jesus made His soul an offering for sin. Isa. 53:10 The Hebrew word for soul is nephesh, animal vitality, (Greek, psuche). Soul life is found in the blood for it sustains the life of the flesh. Blood is likewise necessary for the atonement of mankind. Lev. 17:11 Neither flesh nor blood can inherit the Kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 15:50 The soul life must be redeemed by the blood of Jesus in order for the spirit to be saved and live in His eternal presence.
Jesus poured out His soul unto death. Isa. 53:12 But the keeping of His spirit He gave into the hands of the Father. Having done so, He spent the three days and nights with His Father. Luke 23:46 It is noteworthy that He gave His life. In spite of the whole of the actions taken against Him, He gave Himself as the Lamb of God. He could have stopped the actions being taken against Him at any time. He said, I lay down My life. No one takes it from Me. John 10:17-18 His coming into this world in physical form was to fulfill all the sacrifices and ordinances of the Law. Therefore, after His death on Calvary, it was vital that He enter into the Heavenly Most Holy Place and present His blood on the Mercy Seat. Lev. 16:14 In commending His spirit unto the Father He was about to enter the heavenly realm with His blood as the surety of salvation for all who will believe on Him. Heb. 9:12.
It is therefore necessary that we find a place where He fulfilled His office of the High Priest. Mind you, we are looking at a resurrected Christ in the following scriptures. Events which verify His resurrection. The first occasion that we are going to look at has its deep spiritual implications plus a very human side. After Peter and John had returned with Mary Magdalene to the sepulcher and they had departed, Mary stayed behind Weeping. Stooping down and looking into the tomb, she beheld two witnesses, clothed in light, one at the head of where His body had been and one at the feet. These were not created angles but messengers, witnessing the events in the Life of the Lord Jesus which they will eventually give in Jerusalem during the tribulation period. Rev. 11:3.
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Mary Magdalene’s first visit to the grave site was in the end of the Sabbath according to John. It was at a time which we would call night. Some commentators have considered this visit to have been in the beginning or the evening of what would be, to the Hebrew, the night of Sunday or our Saturday night. For certain it was yet night time. The tomb was opened when she arrived. The Mary’s did not witness the great deliverance from the grave for the stone had already been rolled away. John 20:1.
Jesus but spoke her name, Mary. She had no doubt wept and sobbed greatly at seeing the empty tomb. Her inquiry of the two in white and then of the one whom she supposed to be but a gardener as to the whereabouts of the Lord Jesus was the same. Where have they taken Him. Twice she is asked the cause of her weeping. An occupied cross is a reason to weep. An empty tomb is an opportunity for rejoicing. Jesus is not on the cross, He Is Risen. The cross is empty, the tomb is empty, now those who believe on Him are filled with the glory of His presence. Jesus but spoke her name and she immediately recognized Him. It was not that she recognized His voice, for they had already been in conversation. He spoke to her heart, to her spirit nature. He just called her name and it opened her whole being unto Him. John 20:13-16.
Touch me not. John 20:17 There was an all important accomplishment which He must fulfill. As the great High Priest, His body is a body of resurrection He must present His blood before the Father. He must enter once as the High Priest of the Most High God and present His body and blood as the only means of redemption. There is no other sacrifice or way of salvation but through the Lord Jesus. He is the perfect sacrifice and has been exalted to the throne of the Lord. Heb. 10:10 What a great volume of worship and praise there must have been when Jesus entered heaven with His blood as the only propitiation. There is no other way, it is Jesus and His redemptive blood, or not at all. 1 John 2:2 The very heart, the center of heaven is that precious Lamb which is situated in the very throne of the Lord. The witness and testimony of the blood of Christ is eternal and as God’s Lamb He will ever be worshiped. He said, I ascend to my Father. The grand purpose was to finish the work of redemption by blood and forever seal the covenant of grace. Later, at the time of His next appearing they were able to touch Him for His work was now completed. Mt. 28:9.
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The problem of a closed sepulcher was solved prior to the arrival of the Mary’s. They were concerned about the great stone which had been used to close the entrance of the tomb. However the Lord had already resolved that situation. How many times do we worry about circumstances which really never develop or are settled even before we are confronted by what we see to be a problem. Mark 16:3 When they looked, that’s all it took, just to open their eyes and behold the work of the Lord. Is there something about this which sounds familiar?
The opening of the burial site was a momentous event. It was a demonstration of the ability of the Lord to frustrate the very best efforts of men to hinder His works. In the first place, there was a huge earthquake. An evidence of the presence of the living God. The descent of the Angel of the Lord (Jehovah), out of heaven, from the presence of the Father. Is an illustration to us, that when Jesus said that He was commending His spirit into the hands of the Father, His spirit was received up into heaven and spent the three days and nights with His Father. The Angel of the Lord is none other than the Lord Jesus.
The Lord has a sense of humor. The display of His strength and power were demonstrated in the rolling away of the stone from off the mouth of the tomb. What better way to display His disdain for the grave, also those who caused Him to die, the seal and the guards, all of which were feeble attempts to prove His predictions of His resurrection to be false. Then He sat on it. Proving Himself to be a conqueror, triumphing over sin and the grave. He made the stone His throne of victory. “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. Deut. 32:31 Their rock could not retain our Rock, the Lord Jesus.
His countenance was like lightning. This particular aspect of the appearance of the Lord is awesome beyond description. The shining of His face was equal to a bolt of lightning, brilliant and of great brilliancy, very likely to a degree greater than lightening itself. He is the light of the world, dispensing the light of life, natural and eternal. John 8:12 He is also known as the Sun of righteousness. Mal. 4:2 The greatest display of light, the most intense brightness that exists is that which is found shining forth from the Lord. Saul, at his conversion saw a light above the brightness of the noonday sun. Acts 26:13.
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Not only does the Messenger of the Lord appear in physical appearance as a being of light, but that light permeates the clothing which He is wearing. He is clothed in white (Gr. leukos, from luke, light, white.) Mt. 28:3 The Lord Jesus is seen praying on the mount of transfiguration with the same phenomenon taking place. It is here that His real character and essence are revealed. Luke 9:29 The AMP version states that His garment was flashing with the brilliance of lightning. Want to know what the glory of the Lord looks like, His face did shine like the sun.� Mt. 17:2 To be confronted by such a gorgeous and bright shining person would be the experience of a life time. It was the same glory which appeared when the message was given to the shepherds concerning His birth. Luke 2:9.
The earthquake and the glory of the Lord was too much for the strong, stalwart, brave guards, they passed out and were as dead men. The prison of the grave or the jail of men cannot hold its captives when the glory of the Lord is present. Mt. 28:4 When the glory of the Lord appeared to Peter and brought release to him, he thought he was seeing a vision. Amusing, the Lord has a sense of humor. There was no explanation offered him, he was just left to come to an understanding that the whole thing was real. Acts 12:6-11 Imagine the uproar when it was discovered that for all their efforts to keep Peter, he had just walked out and was gone.
Thus far, His beloved followers are set on ministering to the Lord Jesus as unto a dead corpse. They are following the customs of the land and are desirous of preparing His body with spices and perfumes. We have to ask, where is their faith. They had followed Jesus and had seen the miracles wrought by Him, even the raising of the dead. They had heard His teachings and His proclamation that he was the resurrection and the life. John 11:25 He had promised that if His body, His temple were destroyed that in three days He would raise it up. John 2:19 We would expect His close followers to go to the tomb filled with the expectation of His resurrection, but they went only because His dead body was there. They did not hear with the heart His teachings. Too often we hear with the ear the Word of the Lord but do not hear that Word in our hearts. Mankind is diligent to seek that which is customary and natural but does not receive that which benefits the spiritual.
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The sequence of events concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus is difficult to determine. It would have been an extremely emotional time for His followers. That they were in deep mourning is witnessed by the scriptures. Then in the midst of their sorrow to hear that He had been raised from the dead. How He had been seen by Mary Magdalene, who was the first to bear the glad report to them. Good news which would elicit a great change and mixture of emotions in them. What excitement as they ran to the tomb. John 20:4.
The women when first visiting the open tomb not only looked inside but physically went in seeking what they thought would be the body of Jesus. Instead they found a young man, sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment. Who else would it be but the resurrected Christ? While Jesus was not an old man at thirty three and one half years of age. We see here the bloom of new life, youth manifest in the resurrected body. Of interest also was the statement that He was sitting one the right side of the of the grave chamber. Jesus, at His ascension was seated at the right hand of the Father.
1 Peter 3:22 Furthermore, this man was clothed in the light of the glory of the Lord. The white (leukos, light) robe is evidence of the glory that has been bestowed upon the risen Christ. Mark 16:5.
One thing is most certain, the body of death, the crucified Lord Jesus was not to be found. Two angels, two witnesses stood, one at the head and the other at the foot of where Jesus had been placed. John 20:12 Thank you Apostle Luke for identifying these two as men. Luke 24:4 John reports that their garments were white and does use leukos, the same word as the garment of the young man. However, Luke is a bit more explicit and reports their garments as shining. Shining, (Greek, to flash like lightning). The AMP Version calls their robes dazzling. These same two men appeared, in glory with the Lord Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration. They are identified as Moses and Elijah. In other words the same glorious light, of the God who is light, shone forth from them at that time in identical fashion. Luke 9:30-31.
The message of the tomb was, and still is, He is not here, He is risen, go and tell, and ever since the glad story of the resurrected Christ of God has been proclaimed around the world. Jesus is not on the cross, He is not in the grave, He is risen and is at the right hand of His Father. As a matter of fact, He is the right hand of God. Rom. 8:34.
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Pathetically, men who had been with Jesus for the three and one half years of His ministry. His followers who had heard His teaching and believed it, for they continued to follow after Him. Yet when te women came with the report of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, they could not believe their words. Luke said that the words of the women sounded like idle tales and they could not believe them. Luke 24:11.
How blind they were, not only the nation of Israel but those who were closest to the Lord. They had lived in the midst of the fulfillment of the prophetic utterances pertaining to the birth, life, and death of Christ and should have known that He would be raised from the dead. Their hearts should have been filled with anticipation and great expectation of His coming to life again. He had promised them that He would be resurrected and live again. In the face of sorrow and tragedy how soon they would forget the promises of the Lord.
Oddly enough, we have a parallel in the church world today. Most Christians believe that Jesus is coming soon, and He is. Some even believe that His coming is imminent, but the doctrine of His imminent return has been around for over a hundred years. How soon is imminent? His life span, from birth to grave site was well covered by the prophets of old.
The prophecies of the New Testament show there are yet many unfulfilled prophetic utterances which must take place prior to His return. He will not violate His Word. He is not a man that He should lie. Every prophecy which in any way relates to His return must be fully accomplished before He can possibly come again. The same condition which existed in that day, the excitement of a coming King of Israel ended up in total unbelief. Every event recorded and revealed to John on Patmos is related to the tribulation period which concludes with the destruction of the anti-christ at the second coming of the Lord Jesus. The details of the book of Revelation are not yet fully involved in the life of this earth but the time is nigh. The warming of the earth is a minor thing when compared to the prophecies which are to be found in that book of the last days, the book of Revelation. Its intent was to reveal, to open up, to make visual the mighty works of the Lord in the end of the age, but alas, it is still a sealed book to many in the church. 2 Thess. 2:3.
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The trip to Emmaus was made by two of His disciples. It is reckoned to be about a two hours walk. One is named Cleophas while the others name is not given. Following the pattern of John in not including ones name, it could well have been Luke. Their conversation was on the most unusual evens of the past few days. No doubt, centering in on the empty tomb. Jesus suddenly began to walk with them without revealing His identity to them. Strange that they would not recognize Him. But then, Jesus as a man, was one of those persons who was very common looking. He would fit in, without being outstanding, anywhere in a crowd. They had been in close association with Him, still did not recognize Him. Luke 24:13-15.
Is it not always necessary that He reveal Himself to us in a spectacular manner for us to hear His voice. There is, you know, that time when He speaks with a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:12 How important it is that we learn to hear Him when He speaks to us, in what ever fashion. So many times, because we do not hear a voice like a clap of thunder, we fail to respond. Visually, His identification was hidden from them.
Luke 24:16 But they were later to say that their hearts burned, they were stirred, as He spoke to them. Luke 24:32 The presence of the Lord is not always revealed to the natural man, but to the inner man, the spiritual man. We must learn to recognize that inward voice, the voice of His Spirit speaking to us.
It is interesting to see that Jesus spoke to them from the Word of the Lord. Showing them from the scriptures the various events which had happened to Him and how they were to be plainly seen in the prophecies of the old testament. Luke 24:32 It is doubtful that there is anyone reading this which at sometime of another has not felt a compulsion, an urge, to change their course of action and do something else, only to learn that it was most definitely an act of the Lord in their lives. The Lord has made the natural hearing ear and the seeing eye. Prov. 20:12 He has also provided those who are born of the Spirit the ability to hear and see those things which are not heard by the ear of flesh, nor seen by the natural eye. Learn to listen with the inner ear and see with that hidden man of the heart. He will frequently speak to our hearts through His Word. What better and more assuring way is there to communicate than through the Word of the Lord which he has already given unto us.
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The overwhelming, seemingly all persuasive idea that Jesus had come to establish a secular kingdom was expressed again by these two as they conversed with Jesus. They said, we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel. Luke 24:21 For all the mighty works which the Lord Jesus had accomplished among them. Plus His constant teaching concerning a Spiritual Kingdom of God, they were so earthly minded that they expected a natural kingdom. In redemption, He came to gather unto Himself a blood washed people. Redeemed by His blood alone. They are not from any particular nation but from all the peoples of the earth. 1 Peter 2:9-10.
The Amplified Version has a full and complete translation, almost a commentary on Titus 2:14 Speaking of Jesus, “Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people — to be peculiarly His own — [people who are} eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. The kingdom of God will never be a worldly, natural kingdom. The day is far past where the Israel which existed under David will ever exist again. To anticipate a political/religious kingdom of Israel is to misinterpret the teaching of the Lord Jesus and the scriptures.
Consider His statements concerning the Kingdom of God. First of all He did come to Israel and they thoroughly rejected and crucified Him. Therefore He opened the door of the Kingdom for all people, the whosoever of all generations, those who believed in that day and in the days to come. The citizens of the Kingdom are those who are born of the will of the Lord. Not of blood, natural birth, national birth, that is born into a certain nation or tribe. Nor of the will of the flesh, but being born of the Spirit. Nor yet, of the will of man. Those belonging to the Kingdom are born of the Spirit, not chosen or accepted by a man, a religion or a church. There is no religious ceremony which may be performed admitting them into the Kingdom. John 1:11-13 Both then and now, His kingdom is not of this world for if it had of been those who followed Him would have been exhorted to fight against those who were about to crucify Him. John 18:36 To know, to see, to even understand that there is such a Spiritual Kingdom one must have been born again. John 3:3-5 The kingdom of God cannot be sought out and discovered by natural, visible means. It is a Kingdom which is implanted within the human heart and spirit by the new birth. Luke 17:20.
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Further evidence of their lack of spiritual comprehension is seen when Jesus called them fools, or foolish ones. They were luggish of heart, and dull of perception.AMP. VER. They had no vision of what the Lord Jesus was trying to establish among them. Their own prophets had introduced them to the working of the Lord, outlining for them the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Their whole attention was centered on being like the nations around them. They wanted an earthly king and kingdom.
From the days of Samuel, Israel and Judah demanded that they be led by a king. Their desire was displeasing to Samuel and also to the Lord. Samuel warned them of the price which they would pay in having a king over them. 1 Sam. 8:5 The Lord however told Samuel that in fulfilling their demands they were not rejecting him, but were rejecting the Lord. 1 Samuel 8:7-8 That attitude remained among them until the time of Christ and oddly enough still prevails. They have rejected the true Messiah and now await another messiah. One who is a false messiah. The doctrine of many Christians follow the same pattern and can only result in a gross deception. 2 Thess. 2:3-4 The anti-christ will deceive the nation of Israel and the other nations and will be accepted as the Christ of God by them.
Revelation by bread. On entering into the place where they were to lodge for the night, Jesus took bread and brake it, blessed it and when they had eaten it their eyes were opened and they realized that their companion was Jesus. Bread is used as a type of the Lord Jesus. When the Lord took Israel out of Egypt He daily gave them manna from heaven. They were fed supernaturally for forty years. John 6:31 Now, in Christ the true bread of heaven is made manifest. It is the bread of life. John 6:32-48 He partook of the Passover Feast with them by blessing the bread and declaring it to be His body which would be broken. In that Passover meal Jesus made it very plain that the bread which they were eating was a type of His body, and that in eating they were partaking of Him. He established the Communion Table that they, as well as we of this day might partake of Him and be made one with Him. Mt. 26:26 To participate correctly of the Lord’s table is to become one with Him. It is never to be merely a ceremony, but an act of living participation.
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The early Christians suddenly found themselves in the company of a different Jesus. All the glory, the praise and adoration that He had been given to Him prior to His birth as a man was now returned unto Him. All the capabilities of an Almighty God which He had laid aside to become a man were now restored. The excellent glory of God, which He had so greatly missed was His once more. In prayer, Jesus had sought that the glory with which He had been clothed and filled might be manifest once again in Him, in its full intensity. John 17:5.
Knowing His God like nature helps to explain His departure from the two disciples. He simply vanished from their presence. We are not looking at something which is metaphysical, incorporeal, or lacking substance. We know that the resurrected body of the Lord Jesus was indeed substance For the women had held Him by the feet on their way to spread the good news of an empty tomb. Mt. 28:9.
The two to whom He had appeared and broken bread with them straight way made their way to Jerusalem, seeking to give their testimony of having met the resurrected Christ. It appears now that it was Simon Peter who was with Cleopas, Luke was merely the one who recorded the meeting. Being one of the twelve His word was readily accepted. How interesting that they emphasized the fact that Jesus was know to them in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:35.
No doubt they were in the midst of a great time of discussion concerning all that had taken place. Suddenly Jesus stood in their midst with a message of peace. Instead of rejoicing, they were distressed and filled with fear thinking that they were beholding a spirit. Luke 24:36-37 Under the circumstances, a human reaction which certainly would have been anticipated. Yet, strange, in the light of all the most unusual events which had taken place in the past week. Their lack of spirituality and ability to grasp the message of the Word which they had heard for the past three and one half years is amazing. They react with very carnal actions. His questions to them, were well directed and to the point. Why are you troubled and why do you doubt. Not unfamiliar reactions. Again, the presence of a resurrected body demonstrates to us that it is a body composed of flesh and bones. Jesus invited them to come to Him and feel His hands and His feet that they might attest to the truth that He was very real. Luke 24:37-39.
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The incidents where the Lord Jesus appeared to the Mary, (Mark 16:11) the women, the two disciples (Mark 16:12) and those gathered together is of interest to us because the body of resurrection is revealed here. To Mary, because He had not yet presented Himself as the Lamb of sacrifice unto the Father, His body was still that natural, but resurrected body. His blood, poured forth for the sin of the world, had not yet been offered on the eternal mercy seat of heaven. John 20:17.
When He appeared to the two who had walked into the countryside, it was in an entirely different form. It is difficult not to sense a bit of subtle humor in His encounter with these two. First, He played ignorance as to all the fuss that was going on in Jerusalem and led them into telling Him of all the things which had happened to their leader. Then, in plain words, He related to them the prophetic statements which had been accomplished in His life and death. Even so, they were totally blind as to His person. Would you act in such manner as Jesus did here. I would and be chuckling all the time at their ignorance. They did not believe that He had been resurrected therefore did not anticipate meeting Him in such a way. Spiritual ignorance is stupidity. It should never exist among the people of the Lord.
John is rather expressive of the event when the Lord Jesus showed Himself to the group of eleven disciples. Actually, Jesus wasted no time in approaching them, for it was on the first day of the week when He chose to stand in their midst. They were meeting in secret, with the gathering place all closed up because of their fear of the Jews. They were concerned for their own lives, lest they be singled out for punishment because of the close association with the Lord Jesus. They felt that they were marked men. Jesus, suddenly stood in their midst. His message was that of peace be unto you. What John did not include in his report, Mark did. They were rebuked of the Lord because of their unbelief and hardness of heart. A fact that was demonstrated in their rejection of the witness of those who had seen Jesus and reported to them their experience. Mark 16:14 It is here that the great commission is given to take the gospel of Christ into all the world. Jesus used this as an opportunity to inform them exactly what their responsibility would be in the future. He also assured them that the power and presence of the Lord would be with them and be working in them. Mark 16:15-18.
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Eight days after His visiting His disciples as a group, Jesus came again. The circumstances have not changed much as far as the gathering together of the Disciples are concerned. They were still within, indicating meeting in secret behind closed doors and windows. His entrance was the same as His previous visit. He came, no door was opened but He stood among them. John 20:26 It is evident That we are looking at a body that is grossly different than the normal human body. The elements which limit and hinder the natural body have no effect on this Resurrected, spiritual body. It is no longer a created body, that is a body of flesh and blood.
That the body is an entity, a person, and is substance and of a nature which can be touched, is proven to us in this meeting between Christ and those gathered. To Thomas, whose name has become famous and is used as a byword, as the doubter (even to this day). To him Jesus offered His hands and His side to be touched as evidence that it was He who stood before him, and not a disembodied spirit. John 20:27 We are not told whether or not Thomas reached out and felt His wounds. His immediate reaction is recorded as one of recognition and joy. My Lord and my God. John 20:28 That well establishes the appreciation of the person of the Lord Jesus in their eyes. He is Lord and God.
Jesus spoke of the difference between a spirit and Himself by stating that a spirit is without a body of flesh. Luke 24:39 Angels are spirits. Ps. 104:4 Paul waxed eloquently in relationship to the eternal, resurrected body, which all who are in the heavenly will possess. It is definitely not the body which now exists here on earth. The current body is declared to be seed, and must be planted in order to sprout and come forth, to become that which shall be. 1 Cor. 15:35-37 All flesh is not identical. The flesh of man has been created apart and with a different makeup than that of animals and birds. 1 Cor. 15:39 The resurrected body is that celestial body which the Lord Jesus possessed and demonstrated to His disciples. That body will not have the limitations of our current bodies. This could apply to many facets, the body will not need soul life, the life of the flesh the blood. Lev. 17:11 The possibilities, the capabilities, are limitless for that glorious resurrection body. That body, the church, the New Jerusalem will be where the Omnipresent Lord will dwell, in His completeness.
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His terrestrial body was as natural as all human bodies. There was nothing in the physical man which could, then nor now, overcome sin. All born into this world are born with the stain of sin upon them. Ps. 51:5 Consequently they follow the path of sin for all have sinned. Rom. 2:23 Only in Jesus can we find one who lived a sinless life that He might present Himself to the Father as a perfect, sinless Lamb. Heb. 10:5 Jesus, the man, in order to become the savior of mankind had to become what we are. First, born of a woman, born of the flesh. If ever men could be saved by simply living a good life, this man, Jesus would have been that person. He came with the explicit purpose of destroying death and the one who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Heb. 2:14.
Jesus came to illustrate to the world that there is a way of obtaining eternal life. He demonstrated life daily, through His ministry. He healed the sick, raised the dead and has now been exalted to the right hand of the Father. He was able to say, I am the resurrection and the life. Then promised eternal life to all who would believe on Him. Proclaiming that they would never die. John 11:25-26 There is a place, a time where death is not death. The physical man is destined to death. The spiritual man, the inner man, though absent from the body does not die, for it is eternal. The individual, born of the Spirit, on vacating this present dwelling place, the body, is immediately in the presence of the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8.
Jesus came purposely into the world with the object in mind of taking on the form of mankind. The ultimate of His coming would be seen in the power of resurrection. He died, and was raised from death that we might see His blessed example and follow Him, in life, death and resurrection. He is our faithful, gracious high priest ever making intercession for sinners. Thus, reconciling them to the Lord. Heb. 2:17 In His exalted position as the only, true high priest He is not only our hope of eternal Life, He is the example of what the redeemed, resurrected will be. This body of sin, polluted, contaminated, vile and unclean because of sin will go through a process of metamorphosis from corruption to incorruption. The resurrected body possessed by the believer will be made like unto His own glorious, eternal body. Phil. 3:21 I hesitate to use the words of John for so many have corrupted his words into the wrong meaning. Nevertheless, the Word is true. We are NOW, the sons of God and we are assured that in the resurrection at His coming we will have the same kind of a body as His. 1 John 3:2.
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It is of little wonder that among those whom Jesus called to follow Him as disciples, there were those who had made their lively hood by fishing. They were seine fishermen, using nets to gather in the fish. They would not fish any particular species but gather in everything and anything that was swimming in the waters where they were fishing. Jesus likened the Kingdom of God to just such a catch. Fish of every sort, a great mixture. From fish which live and feed on the bottom, the dregs of society to those who occupy and feed near the surface, the high and mighty. The great equalizer, is the Kingdom of God. The lowly are exalted, those of considerable stature in the world are humbled under the mighty hand of the Lord. All must come through one door. All are made equal in the Kingdom. If they persist in their wickedness they are cast aside and are not accepted into the Kingdom of the Lord. There will be a great separation at the time of the coming of Christ. Those rejected will be eternally cut off from the Lord and His Kingdom. Mt. 13:47-50.
The dynamic power of the Spirit and the Word had a profound effect on some fishermen by the sea of Galilee. Jesus found Simon, Andrew, James and John plying their trade and called them to follow Him. There is certainly no evidence of hesitation on the part of any of them to immediately forsake their nets and go with Him. Their call was to be fishers of men. How much more rewarding than their past employment. Mark 1:16-20.
Luke described this encounter of the Lord Jesus with these fishermen in far greater detail. Because of the press of the crowd Jesus borrowed Peters boat to minister to the people from the lake. On finishing, he would repay Peter with a multitude of fish. Mouthy Peter, always out of step, insisted that there were no fish out there. After all they had fished all night and had caught nothing. But, if you say so I will do it. Imagine his great amazement when his net was so full that it was tearing. The catch was so great that even with his partners, James and John loading their boat to the full, both boats began to sink. Peter immediately dropped on his knees and confessed his wickedness. He again is recorded the call of the Lord Jesus to them to become fishers of men. On beaching their boats they forsook all and followed Him. Their moment of success and riches had arrived. What they did with the fish is not recorded. However, it is strongly stated that they forsook all and followed Him. Luke 5:1-11.
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Seven of His disciples were sitting by the Sea of Tiberias, or elsewhere called the Sea of Galilee. The number seven is a divine complete number. It foreshadows the end of the age. The
consummation of the work of the Lord. Final things. John 21:1-2
Among them was Peter. Always one to speak out and lead others with him in the wrong direction. Crudely today, we would call him mouthy.Until after his Pentecostal experience, he was general
wrong in his decisions. In one of those quick, thoughtless decisions he declared, I go a fishing. The others immediately agreed with him and all entered into a boat and fished all night, catching nothing.
John 21:3.
At dawn Jesus stood on the beach, but they did not recognize Him. It is apparent that they did not expect to see him. Had there been an anticipation in their hearts of seeing Jesus again they would
considered more carefully the man standing on the shore of the lake. Though they were grown men, their spiritual immaturity was evident in as much as Jesus called them Children. Jesus knew the
answer to His question before He asked them. No doubt He wanted to hear their confession of a vain, night long, fishing trip.
Do you have any meat? How has the catch been? The answer was a dismal nothing in the net. No fish, no catch what so ever. As always, Jesus had a solution for the problem. Cast your net on the
right side and you will find a school of fish. John 21:6a In a whole, long night of fishless fishing, these seasoned fishermen would have cast their net from every portion of their boat. There is a point of
desperation when there are no results. We cannot move on with this scene without a play on words here. The word right in this case indicates the right side of the boat. But the word, right, also bears
the connotation of that which is proper or correct. Actions, particularly in the Christian life, taken with the right purpose or correct principle in mind will be blessed of the Lord. The great lesson we
learn from this encounter is that when actions are taken after the way and will of men, the results are often nil. When the Lord is involved there are real and wonderful results. We have too many in the
church today who are filled with ideas and human solutions which are not the methods of the Lord. Then we have those six others who just follow along without considering the consequences. There
is a right way. There is a wrong way. Always take the right.
67.
A great abundance of fish in the net was so huge that they were not able to take them into the boat. The result of being obedient to His command, His word. Jesus, once again demonstrated to them
His power over all things created. Where the waters had been deserted of fish that were made to swarm with a great school of fish. John 21:6 His methods produce certain and lasting results. The
methodology of mankind may produce similar results but they are not as lasting as His works. Men have concocted many ways and means to attract people to church but that which is not founded on
the true gospel can only produce weak results. A whole night of fishing resulted in empty nets. One word from the Lord Jesus and the net was full to over flowing. His way is always the best. His call
to them had been not to continue their life as fishermen but to become fishers of men. Mt. 4:19.
The disciple whom Jesus loved, John was the first to recognize that the man standing on the beach was Jesus. Spontaneously, Peter was in the water swimming toward the Lord Jesus. John 21:7
Different people, different reactions. John received the revelation and shared it with the others. Peter would still be remembering his denial of Christ and was most anxious to show Jesus his love for
Him. The others were more practical minded and stayed in the boat to care for the catch. They were only about one hundred yards from the land and in a small boat. They brought the catch to land.
It would have no small value and they certainly would have need of the funds. John 21:8.
Immediately on reaching the beach they took notice that there were coals of fire and fish cooking over them as well as a supply of bread. He had supplied them with a miraculous catch. Surely with
the fish and the bread, He had performed another miracle in obtaining the necessities with which He prepared breakfast for His weary disciples. When Jesus invited them to share their catch, Peter
immediately took charge and pulled the net up on the beach. It was Peter to whom the call of the Lord came to minister to the Gentiles. Through a threefold vision the Lord convinced him that they
were also called to hear and receive the Gospel of Christ. Acts 11:10 Amazingly, there were six brethren who accompanied him on his journey (seven, once again). Acts 11:12 The seal of the call of
the Lord to the Gentiles was the baptism of the Spirit which they received while Peter was yet ministering to them. Acts 11:15.
68.
Come and dine. An invitation extended to them for that particular moment and for their natural needs. He was manifesting to them His ability to supply their every need. These men, while they had
been with Jesus for the three and one half years of His life, and had seen His mighty works. They had even participated in extending His ministry as they went out by two’s to heal the sick,
cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils. Mt. 10:8 But now, sitting with a resurrected Christ, they are uncertain as to whether or not He is the risen one. John had already identified Him.
Peter seemed to recognize Him, but they are vacillating individuals. There is something missing from their spiritual make up. They are not yet born of or filled with the Spirit. They were of that interim
season, where they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. The time between the age of the Law and the revelation of faith. The years of the ministry of the Lord Jesus. They believed but as yet did not
possess the power of the new birth.
This was the third time that Jesus came to a group of His disciples and made Himself known to them. John 21:13 Three is the fullness of witness. Deut. 19:15 There was no reason for them to doubt
that He had been raised from the dead and was very much alive.
It is note worthy to consider the fact that He served them. He not only taught by word but by deed also. John 21:13 This follows the pattern of His life. The night of His betrayal, he not only broke
bread with them but He washed their feet. John 13:12 It was also fitting that He served them bread, for He is the bread of life. He satisfies the inner most longing of the human heart with the bread of
His presence. Partaking of His bread assures one of everlasting life. He completely satisfies the deepest longing of the human heart with that heavenly bread. John 6:35 Jesus took the meal of a lad
and as it passed through His hands, the bread and the fish multiplied until it fed five thousand men, besides women and children. John 6:9-11 I guarantee you that they proclaimed it to be the best they
had ever eaten. When they were finished they gathered up twelve baskets full of take home food. John 6:13 That boy made a good deal and ended up with great sufficiency. The second time, He fed
the multitude there were seven loaves and a few little fishes. Here He fed four thousand men, plus the women and children. The left over’s amounted to seven baskets full. He demonstrated that
He is the bread of life, naturally and Spiritually. Mt. 15:34-38.
69.
Jesus had instructed His disciples to go to a mountain located in Galilee. Mt. 28:10 While the mountain is not named, it would seem to be reasonable that it was the same mountain where He had
been transfigured. Mountain peaks speak of great spiritual experiences. Beginning with Moses on Sinai to Jesus on mount Calvary. However, Let us not forget that the mountain is surrounded by
valleys, which must be passed through. Here, once again, Jesus appeared to them. Astoundingly, there were still those who doubted. It is very evident that there was a deep spiritual lack in these who
doubted that it was really Jesus.
The statement Jesus made in introducing the great commandment to them is wonderful and marvelous. ALL power in heaven and on earth has been given unto me. Mt. 28:18 All authority is in His
hands. ALL other authorities are under Him. His will, His desires are to be obeyed to the nth degree. He commissioned them to use His Name as they went into all the world with His gospel. All who
became His disciples were not only to believe, but were to be baptized. Not only baptized but to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Does the Father have a
name? How about the Son? The Holy Spirit? These are personal titles referring to their status their position in the Trunity, called God. Can we find a name for each one in the scriptures?
When Moses inquired of the Lord concerning His name the response was I AM (the eternal, the ever present God). The Father introduced Himself as the LORD God of your fathers, this is my name
forever.
Ex. 3: 13-15 The name of the Son is easy. Call His name Jesus. Lk. 1:31 The name of the Spirit is Christ, He is the anointing of the Lord. God anointed (chrio) Jesus with the Holy Ghost. Jesus
became the Christ by virtue of the anointing which was upon Him. Acts 10:38 The Father has bestowed the fullness of the name of God upon Jesus by making Him both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36
God has highly exalted Jesus in giving Him the name which is above every name that is named. Phil.2:9 The ultimate purpose of God is that every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ, is Lord.
Phil. 2:11 To acknowledge His name is a matter of great desire for the Father. He is well please with His Son and therefore has given Him that glorious name. If the Father loves His Son to such a
degree, then it is our privilege to acknowledge, and greatly love that one who bears the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
70. Dec.07,2007.
Jesus had instructed His disciples to go into Galilee. Mt. 28:10 It was a meeting place which had been designated by the Lord Jesus. Mt. 26:32 The following occurrence could have taken place
there, although no other name or place is even hinted in Paul’s statement. Jesus revealed Himself to about five hundred people at one and the same time. This was certainly a cloud of witnesses
whose testimony of a resurrected Christ could not be refuted, because of the shear numbers. 1 Cor. 15:6.
Jesus is ever the teacher, during the forty day period between His resurrection and His ascension, when ever He met with His Apostles, He was giving them commandments. Also He continued to
teach them concerning the kingdom of God. Acts 1:2-3 He offered many infallible proofs to them that He was the resurrected Christ. Paul would cause us to believe that in that time in Galilee His
presence among them was very frequent, for he said that Jesus was seen of them many days.
Acts 13:31 This time of visitation and fellowship would have had done much to establish a foundation of the Word in their lives.
The commandment which was to have the greatest effect on that infant church was for them to tarry in Jerusalem until they had been endued with power from on high. Jesus promised that they would
be filled with the Spirit. Acts 1:8 Most unfortunately they were still focusing on a natural kingdom and asked Jesus if He would restore the kingdom to Israel at that time. He had said, My kingdom is
NOT of this world. John 18:36 That statement was good for then and it is still the same. Men try to emphasize a natural kingdom but His kingdom is Spiritual. When will our spiritual eyes be opened?
Having taught them the Word and promised the coming of the Holy Spirit He was received up, out of their sight, into a cloud. The disciples standing and watching in utter amazement were confronted
by two witnesses. Men, clothed in white (light) who declared to them that this same Jesus would also come in like manner as they had seen Him go.
Acts 1:10-11 To the world He will certainly come as a thief in the night but not to the church. The church is not in darkness that that day will overtake us as a thief in the night. 1 Thes. 5:2 To declare
that Jesus will come as a thief to the body of Christ is to acknowledge that the one making such a statement is walking in darkness. We are not of the darkness, we are children of light. ::END::
