Calendar Date: November 10
Day of the Year: 314
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Matthew 28:11-15; Luke 24:13-43; John 20:19-31; Matthew 28:16-20; John 21:1-25; Luke 24:44-53; Mark 16:9-20
From Despair to Peace
If we lose someone or something precious, all our hopes and dreams seem to vanish. We sympathize with Jimmy Stewart as George Baily in the 1947 film, It’s a Wonderful Life. He saw what the world would be like without him. When everything he loved was gone, he cried, “I want to live again! Please, God, let me live again.” Perhaps you want that, too. Good news—Jesus arose from the dead to offer us forgiveness, spiritual life, and peace. We can live again!
Some People don’t want God’s Peace
The reactions of the guards and priests
When God raised Jesus from the dead, a violent earthquake shook the ground. About the same time, an angel, as white as light, descended from heaven and rolled the stone away from the tomb’s entrance. The guards were paralyzed with fear at the burial place.
In today’s Bible reading, the guards recover and run to the chief priests and elders to report what happened.
They confer together and then pay the soldiers a large sum of money to say someone stole the body (Matthew 28:2-4, 11-15).It was unthinkable to let word get out that Jesus had risen, so they came up with this story. However, there is no peace for the wicked, those who won’t turn to God from their sins.
Two Disciples Meet Jesus and Find a Higher Purpose
Death is disillusioning. Many times it comes unexpectedly, and people lose their faith. Jesus’ disciples are no different. In such circumstances, what brings believers peace? Sometimes, comfort and peace come from a new understanding of God’s higher purposes.
Two of Jesus’ disciples are on the road to Emmaus when Jesus joins them. Grief fills their minds so much they don’t recognize him. Strange reports of some women and two of the Lord’s apostles, Simon-Peter, and John, leave them confused. They claim Jesus’ tomb is empty, and they’ve seen a vision of angels saying Jesus is alive. The two disciples wonder what it all means.
After they tell the strange companion their confusion over recent events, he rebukes them for their unbelief. Then Jesus explains to them the plan and purposes of God. He chronologically traces the Scriptures from Moses’s times to the present, showing them the need for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead. They don’t recognize Jesus, however, until the Lord has supper with them. As he breaks open the bread and says a prayer of thanksgiving, their eyes widen in recognition—there’re scars from the nail prints in his hands!
Immediately, after Jesus leaves, they race and tell the other disciples, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon” (Luke 24:34, NIV). The disciples receive a wake-up call, which brings them unbelievable peace and inexpressible joy, but not for long.
Death and Persecution Cause Fear
Many of Jesus’ disciples doubt the accounts of his resurrection. They’re hiding in fear of persecution from the Jews or arrest from the Roman soldiers. Jesus knows they need to see him to give them peace and courage—they’re going to be the first witnesses to his resurrection.
Do we need peace and courage? Let’s draw near to God and ask him for a new sense of his presence in our lives.
Believing in the Resurrection brings us from Despair to Peace
Thomas (“Doubting Thomas,” as people call him) isn’t with the rest of the disciples when Jesus first appears to them. He says he’ll not believe the Lord is alive again unless he sees and touches him. Many people agree with him. Jesus helps bolster Thomas’s faith by appearing to him, but he says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (John 20:29, NIV).
Testimonies of Changed Lives are Convincing
Modern Americans have never seen their first president, George Washington. Yet, they believe in him because historians have written about him. How is that any different from reading eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible? Even if you never read those accounts, you probably know someone’s life who drastically changed because they believed Christ was crucified and arose to give them forgiveness and peace.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit (1 Peter 3:18, ESV).
Post-Resurrection Appearances are Undeniable
Jesus is seen on several occasions and by over 500 people during the next forty days. Many of these same people were alive a generation later (1 Corinthians 15:6; 1 John 1:1-4)
Martyrs for Christ Show a Commitment to the Truth
There’ve been many martyrs for Christ, and few people give up their lives for a lie. Their words and actions testify to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus has been an attendant in the lives of so many Christians for almost 2,000 years gives us confidence he will be present in our times.
God’s Spirit within us gives us Confidence and Peace
Romans 8:16 (NIV) “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
If we have God’s Spirit within us, this means we are not alone, and we don’t desire to live sinful lives. We desire to please God because we have been adopted by God, and his Spirit is making us more and more like his Son, Jesus. If we obey God and submit to the reshaping of our character, we will be more hopeful, loving, and joyful, regardless of our circumstances. We will have peace and hope in God for our eternal destiny. We will be spiritually alive (Romans 8:5-17).
Bring others from Despair to Peace
The Lord doesn’t want us to keep the message of the gospel to ourselves. He wants people from all nations and cultures to experience eternal life.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV).
Has Jesus Christ saved and changed us? We are his disciples, his witnesses. God’s plan is for us to share our testimony of his grace with others so they might believe.
Jesus soon ascends back to heaven. A few days after that, the Holy Spirit comes in wondrous power. If you know little about the work of the Holy Spirit, join us as we begin the book of Acts!
Any part of the hand was considered the hand, including the writst. The wrist, just above the bone to the hand would have the structure to pin Jesus to the cross.
Note: if you are interested in more information on why the resurrection of Christ is essential, you may wish to read our November 29 Bible study
Discussion
What brought Jesus’ disciples from despair to peace?
Death is disillusioning. Where can ultimate peace be found?
How do we overcome our doubts about Christ’s resurrection?
What are we supposed to do until Christ comes back?
Focus Verse
Matthew 28:20b (NIV) “And surely I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Here is a song to encourage you.
Watch a dramatized version of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ
Helpful resource: Why the Resurrection is Important by Chip Ingram.
Picture of repentant man surrounded by others. Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: Our Next Lesson begins the book of the Acts of the Apostles. It might be better termed The Acts of the Holy Spirit through early church leaders. If you want to know more about the Holy Spirit's work, you will enjoy this book. We begin with the New Birth of the church. Join us!
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