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Experiencing The Resurrection
Author : Willetta Pilcher
Jn 20:11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb
Jn 20:12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
Jn 20:13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
Jn 20:14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jn 20:15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jn 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
What tender love Jesus showed to Mary. Blinded by broken hearted tears ...
she was searching for the “why?” in it all. And in that moment, Jesus appeared to her.
Doesn’t He always appear to us as well... in the moment of our sorrow? No, not in physical form but in our spirits. He calls to us to lift our head and see Him through our blinding tears.
It often seems as though He is missing when we are hurting. Loss, disappointment, rejection, betrayal, denial, hatred, ... He experienced it all and He desires to heal our broken and bruised spirit.
He calls to you, today. Lift your head and dare to look in His face.
Lk 24:29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
Lk 24:30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
Lk 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
Lk 24:32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
It was common hospitality to invite a stranger into ones home to stay the night. After listening to this man share the scripture I’m not surprised that they would want him to abide with them. The previous verse explains... Luk 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
There is nothing I like better than scriptural discussion. To have such an encounter with Jesus would be priceless... but wait... I do that every time I open the scripture. He is there to interpret for me... to show me verses that correspond to my study. He promised that when the Holy Spirit came He would... Jn 14:26 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” I know He said that to His disciples but it is true for us today. If we will listen the Holy Spirit will interpret the Word to us as well as bring other scriptures and thoughts to our minds. It’s exciting to study with the Lord. Try it, you will like it!
Jn 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Jn 21:16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
Jn 21:17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
In some ways I feel sorry for Peter at this point. He had denied the Lord just as Jesus had warned him. But he was so confident of his love for the Lord that he assured Jesus that He didn’t know what He was talking about... “I will never deny you.” But he did. Now, he must face the risen Lord.
Jesus is not being cruel at this point. He is restoring a precious disciple that stumbled. In a sense his questions were a rebuke but given in a positive, tender mode. “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Jesus ask this three times because Peter had denied three times. Which shows me that we need to make confession for each failure. His Spirit reminds us of our need and we must not dismiss His tender reminder. Sin separates us from the fellowship with the Lord and He so longs to keep us in direct fellowship with Himself. He loves us!
Jesus redeemed us at great cost. When you redeem something of great value and of great cost you take special care of it. So why wouldn’t Jesus take special care to keep us in a right relationship with Himself?
Let that thought speak to your heart today. You are of great value to the Lord! You have been redeemed at great cost.
Three encounters... each with special meaning... not only to them but to us!
Author's Resource Box
Willetta is a retired minister and spends most of her time at the computer... writing, counseling, and keeping her webs updated. Her webs are: http://www.theseedsower.org/ http://www.teachmethyways.org/ and http://www.successwithkids.org/ Stop by and browse the nearly 10,000 articles available.
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