If he can use a forgiven denier like Peter, he can use us, who have tasted that same sweet forgiveness. He emphatically said to Peter, “Feed my lambs. Did his denials disqualify him for ministry? When Jesus appeared to his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus answered that question. Peter cried genuine tears of repentance that night when the rooster crowed and the look of Jesus reminded him what he had done. Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night before his crucifixion. Jesus needed to instruct his disciples that he even can use imperfect people. That is why we say we are part of the church militant now, knowing that on the day appointed, we will be ushered into the church triumphant in heaven. When we need to bear a cross for living for Jesus, it should not surprise us. When people reject Jesus, it should not surprise us. We should expect ministry on this side of eternity to be a battle. That’s an important lesson for us as well. Jesus’ kingdom is his rule in the hearts of people. asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.’ ” The disciples likely thought that Jesus was going to make heaven on earth now that he had risen. Just after this verse, we read about the disciples’ misunderstanding. Christ is risen he is risen indeed! Alleluia! Instruction for missionĪcts 1:3 continues, “He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Jesus needed to teach them what the kingdom meant. That gives us assurance still today! As the hymn writer so beautifully puts it: “He lives to silence all my fears he lives to wipe away my tears he lives to calm my troubled heart he lives all blessings to impart” ( Christian Worship 441:5). We not only have eyewitness proof, but hand-witness proof! But when Jesus appeared the next Sunday, he let Thomas touch his wounds that had now become marks of victory. Thomas was not there that first Easter evening. The Bible even records the doubts of Thomas. The apostle Paul wrote the book of 1 Corinthians about AD 55 and in it stresses that many of the witnesses were still alive and could verify the resurrection (chapter 15). Jesus appeared numerous times to hundreds of people over the course of that 40 days. This Forward in Christ issue is filled with his appearances. Acts 1:3 tells us, “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.” He didn’t appear just once, nor did he just appear to the disciples. Jesus’ resurrection proves that all of his promises are true. He was still “working” during those 40 days to accomplish at least three vital tasks for his disciples and for us. Often after I accomplish a goal in life, I take some time to relax and bask in the relief. Jesus’ resurrection assures us that the Father had accepted the sacrifice and that we really are at peace with God.īut how can we be sure he rose? This is what makes the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension so important. But how can we be sure our sins are paid for? On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus finished his work of paying for the sins of the whole world by dying on the cross. You agree to the transfer of your data and personal data to the United States, however, to be used in accordance with WELS Privacy Policy. You are also informed that the United States presently does not have an adequate level of personal data protection as determined by the European Commission’s adequacy decision on Octo(case c-362/14) and articulated in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and has not received a similar designation of adequacy by any other foreign data protection authority. WELS relies on derogations for specific situations as set forth in Article 49 of the GDPR. The United States has not sought nor received a finding of “adequacy” from the European Union under Article 45 of the GDPR. The WELS Privacy Policy states that I can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in e-mails received from WELS websites or via the Contact Us form.īy submitting this form you consent to any and all information you provide and submit via the site being sent to the United States of America.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |