When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. Jesus Appears to Two Disciples12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. The Great Commission14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. Meditation The resurrection of Jesus is all about forgiveness. If Jesus did not rise from the grave, Christians should be pitied above all people and humanity would be stuck in sin (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). Because Jesus rose from the grave, Christians celebrate the solid foundation of forgiveness and must offer forgiveness as we have been forgiven. Jesus left a messenger to meet Mary at the empty tomb. Pointing out the simple fact that “Jesus had risen,” the angel commanded Mary to go inform the disciples, “And Peter,” (7) to meet the risen Jesus in Galilee “just as He had told (them).” The disciples who had abandoned Jesus in His death were welcomed to meet resurrected Jesus. Peter, who had denied Jesus, was explicitly named to come to see Jesus. Grace is greater than our greatest sins or the greatest sinner. Peter is offered special assurance by this specific announcement. We know resurrected Jesus met with Peter personally (1 Corinthians 15) and restored Peter gently (John 21). What we often miss is the potency and power of forgiveness found through Christ’s resurrection. Jesus’ death made a full satisfaction for the penalty of sin, God’s way to write “PAID IN FULL” on the sheets of the story of history. Resurrection is both proof of payment and prospect for restoration in personal relationship with God. Resurrected Jesus meets people who are hungry for life, assuring forgiveness of sins and opportunity to begin again. Christ’s forgiveness is Peter’s sure foundation to step forward and forgive others as we ourselves have been forgiven (Mark 11:25). Richly Dwelling -Why is it significant that Jesus included, “And Peter” in His resurrection message? -Do you identify with the need to be singled out to share in the need for forgiveness? Take a moment to confess specific sin(s) to receive the forgiveness of Jesus. -How is the sure forgiveness of Jesus for your sin a catalyst to show forgiveness to others? Take a moment to consider who you need to forgive and ask Jesus to help you steward the forgiveness He has shown you by forgiving others. Key Verse 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Comments are closed.
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AuthorPastor Mitchell celebrates twenty-five years of marriage with Lisa & together they have four adventurous children. |