Lessons from The Great Commission

Scriptures Set the Stage

While I was out to study about forgiveness and learn from Scriptures, Jesus surprised me with so much more!

Please read John 20: 19-23. In my Bible, the title for this section is "The Apostles Commissioned." Will you join me as we glean from these verses? We will take a hard look at the words of Jesus and allow them to challenge us. May the Living Word-transform us.

In John 20:19, we see the disciples gathered in fear, behind a closed door. They were likely discussing all that had recently happened. They had been following Jesus. They had experienced His presence, miracles, life and teachings. They were part of feeding the five thousand. They were with Him when He taught the multitudes. They ate, laughed and shared many deep moments with Jesus. And now He had been killed by the religious leaders of the day. Only three days ago he was placed in a cave. Their lives had suddenly changed.

It was about to get interesting. When Mary came and told them she had seen Jesus this morning, they stood in unbelief. The tomb was empty! He spoke to her! Did they think she was crazy? The Bible says they met Mary with unbelief. (Luke 24:11) What about the two men on the road to Emmaus? Rumor had it that they had seen Jesus, too!

If the grave was empty, would the closest followers of Christ be blamed for stealing the body? Where DID the body go? To say they were afraid, seems weak. I bet they were terrified! Their minds must have been racing with scenarios, their hearts were filled with questions. They likely tried to remember each moment, each word, each conversation they had with their beloved. And the conversations? I bet there were many as each one had their own take on what was taking place. Sound familiar?

SELAH

Have you been in a similar place when everything that you thought you knew to be true was changing? Have you put your faith in God over a matter, and it didn’t turn out quite the way that you had expected? Do you need to put your faith in God instead of the many things that vie for His place in our lives? Has chaos and confusion entered your situation leaving you in fear? Please continue to read to see what the Lord has for us.

These are the times that we may ask; “Why Lord? Where are you? Why did this happen? Is THIS your great plan?”

Do you find yourself cursing God? Or trusting God? I think this is a place where our emotions blur with any sense of clarity. We may find ourselves hopeless and feeling helpless.

If you can relate to any of this, please continue as we journey into God’s Word. Together we can search out a matter and allow the Lord to teach us.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2 nkjv

Dear Lord, as we seek to learn about forgiveness, let us stop here and meditate on our own circumstances. Teach us, we pray. Show us where we are in the process of changing from glory to glory. As we walk with you, we know that your mercies are new every morning. And you delight in leading us into the light of your ways. For today, we ask that you reveal to us the places that we are living in fear, ans questioning everything around us. We seek your face. We trust in you. We want to follow after you, even when things do not make sense around us. We know you will lead us. In your precious name we pray. Amen.