I believe God has a plan. I may not know exactly what it is or what I’m supposed to do, but the plan is in place. I just need to trust Him and do my best to follow wherever He leads…or die trying.”
–Dan Arnold (Riding for the Brand)
“So when I planned this, was I irresponsible? Or what I plan, do I plan in a purely human way so that I say ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’ simultaneously? As God is faithful, our message to you is not ‘Yes and no.'”
–2 Corinthians 1:17-18(HCSB)
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I have often read through things in the past without really looking at them. Some of this is due to my lack of diligence is searching out what was being said, some of it was that it might have been hidden from me until just now. I am so thankful for those who study the Word of God and pass on their knowledge for it often causes me to take a second, or third, of fifteenth look at Scripture. In saying all of that, I am indebted to some thoughts from Alistair Begg’s devotion.
Here is a verse I have often read over quickly without doing proper contemplation. “To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3, NKJV) Why did Jesus linger on earth for forty days after the resurrection? Yes, the simple and right answer is to be a witness of Himself, to leave a testimony of His resurrection. Begg points out that it was for more than that. He says that it was to “open their minds.” To what? “To better understand the Old Testament Scriptures and to prepare them for the coming of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus chided them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25, NKJV) Then later, Luke writes, “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45, NKJV)
If Jesus had immediately gone to heaven after the resurrection, what would have happened to Thomas? Would he have stayed in his unbelief and lack of faith? Peter? Would he have remained discouraged and stayed in the fishing business if the Lord had not spoken with him? Luke writes that “they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52, NKJV) Who were the “they”? Most likely it was those who would be in the upper room waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Think for a moment. The scene before Mary, the last thing she sees of her son is His ascension. Far cry from the desecrated body hanging on the cross. Did Jesus appear and speak with His brothers and sisters during these forty days? Most likely. James and Jude became leaders in the Church, but I have often wondered what happened to Joseph and Simon. Were they still in unbelief if He spoke to them, or did they become leaders in the Church just not as visible as James and Jude? I believe that Jesus would have done his utmost to persuade them all.
One more thing to consider. When Jesus was in the grave, they were all in despair. They were in fear not knowing what to do, or what would happen to them. Jesus, their Master was gone, in the tomb, dead. But now! He has walked and talked with them for forty days. He has now ascended to His Father–note, that He is no longer with them, but what is their reaction now? “And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God.” (Luke 24:52-53, NKJV). They obeyed and waited until the Promise of the Father came to them and were filled with the Holy Spirit. They knew for certain that Jesus was alive and still working in their lives.
——————————————-
I have often read through things in the past without really looking at them. Some of this is due to my lack of diligence is searching out what was being said, some of it was that it might have been hidden from me until just now. I am so thankful for those who study the Word of God and pass on their knowledge for it often causes me to take a second, or third, of fifteenth look at Scripture. In saying all of that, I am indebted to some thoughts from Alistair Begg’s devotion.
Here is a verse I have often read over quickly without doing proper contemplation. “To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3, NKJV) Why did Jesus linger on earth for forty days after the resurrection? Yes, the simple and right answer is to be a witness of Himself, to leave a testimony of His resurrection. Begg points out that it was for more than that. He says that it was to “open their minds.” To what? “To better understand the Old Testament Scriptures and to prepare them for the coming of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus chided them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25, NKJV) Then later, Luke writes, “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45, NKJV)
If Jesus had immediately gone to heaven after the resurrection, what would have happened to Thomas? Would he have stayed in his unbelief and lack of faith? Peter? Would he have remained discouraged and stayed in the fishing business if the Lord had not spoken with him? Luke writes that “they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52, NKJV) Who were the “they”? Most likely it was those who would be in the upper room waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Think for a moment. The scene before Mary, the last thing she sees of her son is His ascension. Far cry from the desecrated body hanging on the cross. Did Jesus appear and speak with His brothers and sisters during these forty days? Most likely. James and Jude became leaders in the Church, but I have often wondered what happened to Joseph and Simon. Were they still in unbelief if He spoke to them, or did they become leaders in the Church just not as visible as James and Jude? I believe that Jesus would have done his utmost to persuade them all.
One more thing to consider. When Jesus was in the grave, they were all in despair. They were in fear not knowing what to do, or what would happen to them. Jesus, their Master was gone, in the tomb, dead. But now! He has walked and talked with them for forty days. He has now ascended to His Father–note, that He is no longer with them, but what is their reaction now? “And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God.” (Luke 24:52-53, NKJV). They obeyed and waited until the Promise of the Father came to them and were filled with the Holy Spirit. They knew for certain that Jesus was alive and still working in their lives.