Curiosity killed the cat!

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
John 21:20-22

“Curiosity killed the cat,” goes the saying that dates back from the 1890s. It is a reminder that while having an inquisitive mind is not a bad thing, not everything we might wish to know is our business to know. This is especially true when it comes to God’s will for other people’s lives.

Peter wanted to know about John’s future. The fact is, we don’t even know about our future, so why would we be overly concerned with another’s future?

We are better off to be concerned with living our lives in the present in ways that will provide the best case scenarios for our future. If we do that, we can rest concerning our futures, knowing that we have been good stewards of the present, trusting in the goodness of God for the future.

When it comes to other people’s future, let us do what we can to help those we are responsible for—our children and grandchildren, for instance. Having done what we can, let us pray for those in whose lives we invest ourselves—and trust God for their futures as well.

And as Jesus said to Peter, the most important thing we can do in any case, is follow Jesus.

Inquisitive minds are not a bad thing. But curiosity killed the cat.

Youthful zeal and mature stability

Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
John 21:18-19

Peter was revealed in the gospels as the outspoken, impetuous disciple. When something entered Peter’s mind, it usually exited his mouth in short order. This is a sign of youth and immaturity. It also revealed that Peter was a leader—even though he did not always lead wisely.

Peter needed to grow, to mature, to have a greater measure of self control. As age and experience seasoned him, not to mention being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, he did “grow in grace and knowledge of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18)

Let us never stop growing in God’s grace and in our knowledge of Christ. May we remain eager as new Christians, while maturing as seasoned saints.

In John 21:19, mention is made of Peter’s eventual death. Though not recorded in the Bible, church history records Peter being crucified in Rome. He asked to be crucified up side down because he felt unworthy to die as Jesus did.

Lastly, Jesus charged Peter to “follow Me.” Peter had followed Jesus for over three years. And he continued to follow Jesus until the day Peter was crucified. May we all follow Jesus every day, up to including our last day.

Truths we need to know about shepherds and sheep

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.”
John 21:15-17

Jesus graciously lead Peter to receive three-fold forgiveness and reconciliation after having denied Jesus three times. His estrangement and probable sense of guilt was relieved as Peter affirmed His love for Jesus three times. But there was more.

Three times Jesus commissioned Peter to the role of pastoral ministry, charging Peter to: "Feed My lambs," "Tend My sheep," and "Feed My sheep.” Let us consider three lessons about sheep and shepherds.

Sheep belong to Jesus. Though the Lord appoints human “under-shepherds” (aka pastors), the sheep all belong to Jesus. While pastors are not to be “hirelings,” with no commitment to the task of shepherding beyond a paycheck, pastors do not own the sheep. This does not lessen the pastor’s responsibility, however. It makes it greater as he will answer to the Great Shepherd for his diligence to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2). That the sheep belong to Jesus is a serious stewardship for pastors and a great comfort to the sheep.

Sheep are not all the same. That Jesus refers to the sheep both as “lambs” and “sheep” is a reminder that each one is at a different place in his or her spiritual growth and maturity. Pastors must remember to shepherd young lambs somewhat differently from how they shepherd more mature sheep. Additionally, sheep need to grow and mature into adult sheep, while adult sheep must also be patient with their less experienced younger brothers and sisters.

Sheep need to be “shepherded.” Jesus didn’t use the same word three times. Twice he used the word most commonly associated with feeding, but once He used a broader word that means “leading or caring for.” Feeding Christ’s sheep from the Word is paramount, but sheep also must be led and cared for. Sheep need to be led by example, in addition to instruction. Sheep need to be defended from predators (wolves). This means warning the flock of false teachers and their unbiblical teachings. Sheep need to be disciplined at times. Discipline requires correction and sometimes even rebuke, always with both kindness and firmness. Stray sheep need to be restored. Pastors must sometimes “leave the 99” to go after and and bring back the one who has wandered off.

There are many more truths regarding shepherds and sheep, but there are a few truths we need to know about shepherds and sheep—all found in this short passage.

Abundant reconciling grace calls for a reaffirmation of love

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
John 21:15-17

Much has been said and written about this important moment shared by Jesus and Peter. I will point out just two.

First, the three-fold nature of the conversation. Why did Jesus ask Peter essentially the same question—three times? While we cannot say for sure, because the text does not provide an explicit answer, most agree that there is a reason. That reason relates to Peter’s denial of Jesus three times. It is therefore reasonable to suppose Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to restate his love for Jesus having denied his beloved Savior three times.

Let us be encouraged that while denying Jesus is serious, God’s grace is also comprehensive. In Romans 5:20, Paul writes, “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” This is never to be taken as a green light to sin because God’s grace is greater than our sin; but it is a source of comfort for we who love the Lord, but often “deny Him” when we sin.

Second, let us not neglect reaffirming our love for the Lord Jesus when we confess our sins and seek repentance. “I’m sorry,” isn’t enough. Let us be reminded that no matter what our sin is, all sin is ultimately against the Lord (Psalm 51:4). So, let us ask for His forgiveness, and reaffirm our love for Him.

Though He doesn’t need us…

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught." Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
John 21:7-11

The Lord came to the unproductive disciples, gave some rather odd counsel ("Cast the net on the right side of the boat…”), and they received a great catch! John realized it was the Lord on the shore who gave the command to fish from the other side of the boat. Peter jumped in the water wading to the shore, followed by the rest of the disciples going ashore in the boat.

Did you ever notice that the fish they ate for breakfast that marvelous morning, was not the fish the disciples caught and dragged to the beach? When they got there, the fish Jesus fed them were already on the fire. Jesus did tell them to bring the fish they caught, but He was prepared to feed them without what they caught.

And?

This is a beautiful reminder that the Lord doesn’t “need” us or our efforts. He has everything in hand. He graciously invites us to bring what we can do. But He doesn’t need us. And come to think of it, they only caught the fish they caught because of His intervention into their otherwise unproductive fishing venture.

Friends, praise God that He doesn’t need us or our efforts. If He did, what kind of God would He be? And praise God that though He doesn’t need us or our efforts, He graciously bids us to bring what we can do (which we only do by His grace!). In so doing, He includes us in the work that only He can do—whether prayer, evangelism, or anything else!

From unproductivity to productivity

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
John 21:1-6

The Lord loves us so much that He comes to us and reveals Himself to us, no matter where we are. Peter and the disciples went fishing. As we wrote previously, we cannot be certain why they went fishing. Nevertheless, even when the disciples were not in Jerusalem, where the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, Jesus went to them. How many times has the Lord graciously come after us that He might reveal Himself to us?

The Lord loves us so much that He comes to us and reveals Himself to us, even when we our lives appear to be unproductive. When the disciples were clearly unproductive, the Lord came to them and revealed Himself to them. When we are likewise unproductive, let us not think the pathway to productivity is found in trying harder. Let us instead call out to the Lord. Let us keep an eye out for Him, because He is not hiding Himself from us!

The Lord loves us so much that He comes to us and reveals Himself to us, reminding us that following Him is the only way to be truly productive. The disciples fished all night and caught nothing. Some have speculated that they caught nothing because they weren’t supposed to be there, as a lesson on the futility of going back to our previous pursuits. (Remember, some of them were fishermen before they “left their nets to follow Jesus.” Matthew 4:20) Whether that speculation is inaccurate or not, I cannot say. What we can say is that regardless of why they caught nothing after fishing all night, when Jesus came to them with instructions, they were immediately productive. How many times have we balked at or even ignored the Lord’s instruction (from His Word)? Oh, that we would trust and obey—and watch as He makes our lives productive!

Truly, the Lord loves us so much!

God has bigger plans for our lives than the ones we make

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." John 21:3

"Feed My lambs.” John 21:15, "Tend My sheep." John 21:16, "Feed My sheep.” John 21:17.

Last time we considered why Peter went back to fishing. We sincerely doubt that Peter was enjoying fishing as a hobby. He was a professional. We also admitted that while there are two popular ideas about why he went back to fish, the reality is, we don’t know. So a little humble speculation is in order, and a warning not to be dogmatic about speculations when the Bible is not clear on a matter.

I ended the last post by saying there is one reason Peter went back to fish that is clearly true. Jesus had an ordained appointment with Peter on the shore of the Sea Galilee. In that appointment, Jesus not only revealed Himself again to the disciples and served them breakfast on the beach, but Jesus spoke graciously to Peter. Jesus’ kind words restored Peter from what he had done by denying Jesus on the night Jesus was betrayed. He also commissioned Peter as a shepherd to God’s people.

No matter what Peter had in mind when he went back to fishing, Jesus’ purpose in Peter’s life was so much greater. May the Lord give us eyes to see and hearts to understand God’s bigger plans for our lives—plans that are bigger than ours, whatever they are.

Be careful about what you do not know

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
John 21:3

What was Peter thinking when he said, "I am going fishing"? Literally, his words were “I’m off to fish.” Either way, we do not know for sure. Commentators are divided. Some say Peter was was forsaking apostolic ministry in favor of what he knew: fishing. Others say, “no” to that idea, preferring the practical idea that Peter still had to work to eat—which he did. Which is it? I cannot say for sure, so let’s consider both suggestions.

IF (and I emphasize the word IF), Peter was discouraged with vocational ministry and was opting to go back to his secular fishing business, that would be sad. It would be an example of impatience—something Peter was accustomed to. IF that was the case, knowing more than Peter did at that moment about what was coming, we might learn to wait on the Lord. What Jesus had already told Peter, “You shall be a fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19), would be a reason to wait. So would Jesus’ words “you are Peter an on this rock I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18). The lesson, “Never give up” is a good one, and maybe Peter would have done well not to give up so quickly—if indeed he was giving up. But we don’t know that he was.

IF (and I emphasize the word IF), Peter was simply working to support his family, that wouldn’t have been bad. Yes, Peter had a wife! (Mark 1:30). IF that was the case, Peter was being responsible while waiting, and that is a valuable lesson as well; though we don’t know that is what he was doing.

In light of what we do not know for sure, here are two more lessons for us:

(1) Do not interpret scripture dogmatically when scripture is not clear. Instead admit what we do not know for sure. Speculate, but be sure to label your speculations as no more than speculations.

(2) Do not base doctrine, or even hard and fast lessons, on speculation. Notice that my two speculations are true because scripture clearly teaches these truths elsewhere. The speculations regarding Peter are merely examples of what the Bible already teaches. They are not stand alone doctrinal passages.

The next blog post will take up another lesson from this passage that is most certainly true. Stay tuned.

Believing in what can not yet be seen

Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:29

The writer to the Hebrews tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that believers “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Peter also wrote of Christians’s faith with these words, “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

God certainly has provided enough evidence, coupled with the testimony of the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith. May His name be praised forever!

But isn’t it interesting how believers actually love Christ whom we have not actually seen? This truly is a work of the Holy Spirit.

When scoffers say they only believe what they can see, they deceive themselves. I’m guessing they all believe in electricity, and in atoms—neither of which they have seen! Scoffers, who are among those Jesus came to save, will one day believe.

The best news is that all His people will one day, in glory, see Him. Until then, let us continue to grow in love and in faith in the One we have yet to see.

God's grace overcomes our resistance

Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:27-29

What does God owe us? Exactly! Nothing. But He not only gives us salvation through Jesus Christ, He gives us the faith to believe. This is important since we receive salvation through faith in Jesus, and left to ourselves, no one would ever believe! (John 6:44, 1 Corinthians 2:14)

It is also wonderful that the Lord condescends to grant the gift of faith even to those He came to save, who are having a hard time believing.

The women who were first at the tomb told the disciples about the Resurrection. They didn’t believe (Mark 16:11, Luke 24:11).

So Jesus showed Himself to the disciples. They reluctantly believed. And when they told Thomas (who didn’t go to the meeting that evening) he didn’t believe (John 20:25). So Jesus showed himself to Thomas, resulting in Thomas believing.

Here is the point: Jesus didn’t have to do any of that for any of them. But He did. Why? Because He came to save His people from their sins, and He will save them—even if they resist believing!

I would imagine that if we thought about it, many of us could remember ways in which the grace of God overcame our resistance!

Are you a Christian FOMO?

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:24-29

“Ninety percent of discipleship is showing up.” That is what a former pastor told me. And then he referred to Thomas as the poster child—not of doubt, but on not showing up. Whether the correct figure is ninety percent is debatable, probably even doubtful; I cannot say. But Thomas’s story is confirmed by the lives of many halfhearted, weak-in-faith followers of Jesus I’ve observed over several decades.

Granted, showing up alone does not make a disciple. But those who do not show up—or show up irregularly, suffer spiritually for their absenteeism.

And of course, there are legitimate reasons people cannot show up consistently. But those reasons are precious few in number. Sickness tops the short list.

At the heart of the matter is how one honestly answers the following questions. “Is a lack of attendance a matter of can’t—or rather of won’t? Is it because of providential hindrance, or of choosing something else?” So often lack of attendance is more a matter of misplaced priorities than of mysterious providence.

Like Thomas, who was not at the “Sunday evening service” on Easter evening, those who fail to show up as often as the Word is being preached miss out on an otherwise important, maybe even crucial, word from the Lord. Thomas didn’t witness the risen Savior so he didn’t believe. In fact, he not only didn’t believe, he refused to believe.

I can’t tell you how often dear saints have contacted me with a question that was the topic of the previous sermon—which they were not present to hear. Although not true in all cases, it is very often true that those who have the most questions or need the most counsel are the ones who attend church the least consistently.

Is this about “guilting” people into attending church more? No. It is about encouraging us all not to miss God’s best for us, by simply showing up.

In these days we hear the phrase: “Fear Of Missing Out” (FOMO). It describes those who, due to “fear of missing out,” are unwilling to commit to other things—for fear that they will miss out on even better opportunities. Healthy, growing believers should have a FOMO when it comes to showing up to church. Why? Because there are virtually no opportunities that are better than being in church: worshiping God in song, praying, hearing the Word preached, and interacting with God’s people.

I pray we are all longing to be back to “in person worship”—soon!

You and I are sent as Jesus was sent

So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
John 20:21-23

Jesus sent the disciples “as the Father sent [Jesus].” Some insist that this was directed only to the original Disciples—and not beyond the original disciples—to the Church. We must readily admit that the original Disciples were a special group through whom the Holy Spirit founded the Church and penned the New Testament. However, though their ministry was unique, all of Jesus’ disciples ever since are also sent as the Father sent Jesus. How?

While we obviously are not sent to atone for anyone’s sin, since only Jesus could do that, all Jesus’ disciples are to proclaim the gospel to any and all we can. Evangelism and missions continues through the Church until Jesus returns. We are to be as committed to that task as Jesus was to His task.

And as Jesus’ disciples, we are enabled because we are indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit (v.22).

And what is our message? To announce forgiveness of sins, exclusively in Jesus’ name, because of His finished work on the cross, and then His resurrection from the dead.

The Roman Catholic church teaches the unbiblical falsehood that their human priesthood has authority to forgive sins. This is not true because only Jesus (being God) can forgive sins (Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:19, 2:22; 1 John 2:2, 4:10; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5). God forgives sin when people are born again by the Holy Spirit and subsequently profess faith in Jesus as the one and only means of being forgiven. Our task is to proclaim Christ, declaring that forgiveness is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This declaration includes the hard, but true reality, that those who do not trust in Christ, will not be forgiven.

Jesus was sent to provide forgiveness. We are sent to proclaim forgiveness. He did what He was sent to do. Let us be sure that we are doing what we were sent to do.

What Jesus' resurrected body looks like

Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?”
Luke 24:39-41

When the disciples were wrestling with their doubts and fears about Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to them and told them, “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have," followed by this request: "Have you any food here?”

This gives us some idea about what Jesus’ resurrected body looked like.

It was a physical body. The Lord did not merely rise spiritually as a sort of phantom. He rose bodily.

His resurrected body bore the scars of His crucifixion. This validated who He was and what He had suffered on the cross. Assuming His body in the New Heavens and the New Earth retain the scars (and I believe it will**), we will behold our Savior for eternity, remembering the price He paid to save us—not to make us feel bad, but to prompt and prolong our eternal worship and praise.

His resurrected body ate food, not only here (Luke 24:41 & 43), but maybe also by eating fish on the beach with the disciples (John 21). Jesus’ physical, resurrected body ate, and so we may surmise that we will too. This is just one more indicator that glorified bodies, though in someway “glorified,” are physical. Beyond this I will refrain from speculating.

**The chief reason I believe Jesus’ body in Heaven will retain the scars of His crucifixion is that in several places in Revelation (5:9; 5:12; & 13:8), Jesus is seen as both “the Lion” and “the Lamb that was slain.” This seems to indicate rather forcefully that in Heaven we will somehow see Jesus as both the conquering and ruling Lion, and the Lamb that was slain—complete with the scars.

The source of sustained peace in the midst of fear

And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
Luke 24:38-40

The Lord appeared to His frightened disciples (Luke 24:36). He spoke the words, “Peace to you” (v.36). They were still afraid (v.37). Does this mean the peace of the Lord that comes to us from Him through His Word is not true or lasting? No, it only reminds us that we are are often weak in faith and given to fear.

Don’t miss the significance of what Jesus said and did next:

(1) He questioned their fears. He did not do this because He did not know. Of course He did. He wanted them to consider the reason behind their fears. We do well when we are fearful or troubled by a lack of faith, to ask ourselves why we are afraid. We need to think about that.

(2) He showed them evidence that He really was Jesus and that He really had risen from the dead. When we understand that our troubles are a lack of faith, we need to look to Christ. The crucified and risen Christ. When our faith is shaky, we need to remember what the Son of God did to save us and be reminded that He who gave us life and rose from the dead to save our souls will also take care of us in every other circumstance through which we must pass.

Peace comes from the Lord through His Word. Sustained peace is ours as we look to Christ, His finished work on the cross, and to His glorious resurrection; remembering that if He did that for us, we can trust Him with any and everything else.

What did they see when they looked at Jesus? Be sure to read the next blog post.

The Prince of Peace communicates peace to troubled souls

Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Luke 24:36-38

It was now evening. The entire day of Jesus’ resurrection had passed, and in the evening, the disciples were gathered together, “behind closed doors (for fear of the Jews)” (John 20:19). Why were they fearful? They had witnessed the Jews orchestrating the execution of the Man they followed for three plus years! Might they have been wanted as outlaws, and likely to suffer the same fate? They were not all, as yet, convinced of Jesus’ resurrection.

As they timidly hunkered down behind closed doors, Jesus came and stood in the midst” (John 20:19).

A short aside here: Some claim that Jesus walked through the wall or the closed door. But it does not say that. Some insist that Jesus simply “appeared” before them. Others urge that there is no need to ascribe a miracle to this, as they may have opened the door to Him, not yet realizing it was Him. Which is it? The Bible does not say, so we do not know. Where the Bible is silent, though we may humbly speculate, we really ought not be dogmatic. Back to the point of this meditation.

When Jesus was standing in front of the disciples, He said, “Peace to you.” They needed some peace; as we have just been reminded, they in fear of the Jews (John 20:19). God’s people are often afraid for various reasons. Regardless of the validity of our fears, we often need peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Who better to deliver peace? And by what means does the Lord give His peace to His people? His Word! To them, spoken. To us, written. But do not miss that the Lord communicates peace to His people through His Word.

Let us refrain from looking elsewhere. True peace does not come from any of the other places to which we tend to turn. Entertainment, food, sleep, sex, alcohol, drugs, etc. (and the list could go on) are only temporary fixes, often followed by new and more trouble. Oh that we would look to the Lord and to His Word!

But note what Luke 24:37 says after Jesus had spoken peace to the disciples, “But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.” Even when the Lord speaks peace to us, we are sometimes still gripped by fear. Does that mean the Lord’s peace is neither true or lasting? No. It means that we are still weak in faith and given to fear. What then?

Be sure to read the next blog for the answer.

Christ reveals Himself in ordinary circumstances

Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.  
Luke 24:30-31

The two disciples who were with Jesus on the road to Emmaus reached their destination and pressed Jesus to join them for a meal. He obliged.

Remember, they did not know it was Jesus at this point.

When they sat down to eat, Jesus blessed some bread, broke it, and gave it to the two disciples.  It was then that they recognized Jesus. Why did they not recognize Him before, and why did they recognize Him at this point?

As for why they did not recognize Him, we can only say that, as in the case with Mary Magdalene, though she knew Jesus, she did not recognize Him because He needed to reveal Himself.  This is true for everyone.  We may know a good deal about Him from reading the Bible and listening to biblical preaching, but unless and until He reveals Himself—who He truly is—He will remain unrecognized.

As for why these disciples recognized Jesus when He blessed bread, broke it, and gave it to them, two speculations have been suggested. One speculation is that it reminded them of Jesus miraculously feeding the multitude.  A second speculation is that this was a sacramental celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  Matthew Henry comments wonderfully on these speculations:

“This was not a miraculous meal like that of the five loaves, nor a sacramental meal like that of the eucharist, but a common meal; yet Christ here did the same as He did in those, to teach us to keep up our communion with God through Christ in common providences as well as in special ordinances… to see our daily bread provided for us and broken to us by the hand of Jesus Christ.”

But why was it that at this meal that they recognized Jesus?  Simply because it was at that point that He graciously revealed Himself to them, in the midst of ordinary fellowship.  May the Lord likewise be pleased to reveal Himself to us in such ordinary circumstances.

Errol

Jesus in the Old Testament?

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.  Luke 24:27

Then after Jesus departed…

And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"  Luke 24:32

No doubt the greatest Bible study ever given was by Jesus to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.  (v.27)  Jesus taught them how Moses and the Prophets (another way of saying the entire Old Testament) predicted incredible details about the coming Messiah, who is Christ Jesus.

But Jesus taught another important lesson to them and to all students of the Bible throughout Church history.  He taught us that virtually the entire Old Testament is about Himself.  Jesus said as much in John 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

Clearly the Old Testament is about Jesus.  If only we all had eyes to see this more clearly.

Granted, we do not want to force Jesus into verses that are not truly about Him.  For instance a random verse from the genealogies in 1 Chronicles are not explicitly about Jesus—except that they are part of the big story, which is about Jesus.  We do not want to allegorize, or hyper-spiritualize the Bible to say what it is not saying.  But neither do we want to miss what Jesus taught about the Old Testament: it is about Him!

Let us read the Bible to see Christ!
Errol

“Jesus on Every Page” by David Murray, published by Thomas Nelson is a wonderful book on this subject.  I give it my highest recommendation!

Two reasons we often fail to "get it"

He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
Luke 24:25-26

Later on Resurrection Day, Jesus caught up with two of the disciples as they walked to the nearby town of Emmaus. One of these men was named, Cleopas, and we do not know the name of the other. We don’t really know who Cleopas was for that matter. He was not one of the twelve disciples (his name appears in no listings of them). All we know is that he was a “disciple.” All who followed Jesus were disciples, but not all were among “the twelve.” We do know that Cleopas and his unnamed companion were troubled, understandably, by Jesus’ crucifixion, and did not know of the Resurrection.

Jesus joined them on their journey to Emmaus. It was around seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus so they had some time to talk. Jesus chided them, saying they were foolish, not only for not believing the women who spoke of Jesus’ resurrection, but for not knowing the scriptures that said the Messiah had to suffer.

Have you ever explained something to someone and they totally didn’t get what you told them? Jesus, the greatest Prophet, told the disciples about His impending death and resurrection—several times. But they didn’t get it. It is understandable, but consider how much of God’s Word we don’t understand. Some of it is not easily understandable. Most of it is, and yet we often, like Cleopas and his companion, fail to get it.

A professor in seminary once told a class I was in, “The Bible doesn’t reveal it’s treasures to lazy students!” We have to apply ourselves to study.

In addition, all the study of God’s Word in the world, without the illumination of the Holy Spirit is merely head knowledge rather than true understanding. We have to pray, asking the Lord to teach us.

Those who do not believe may yet believe—someday

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
Luke 24:10-11

Even after the women went to Jesus’ empty tomb, spoke with angels and Jesus, when they first told the disciples, the disciples did not believe. Why and what can we learn from this?

First, as stated in an earlier post, in that day and culture, women were not considered credible witnesses. They could not testify in court. Though I would agree that it is wrong to reject a woman’s testimony because she is a woman, they lived in another time, place, and culture. That doesn’t make wrong right, but we dare not adopt a superior attitude and dismiss them as primitive or ignorant. They only knew what they knew.

Second, the disciples didn’t readily believe the reports regarding Christ’s resurrection because people do not rise from the dead! You and I would have a hard time believing that someone we knew to have died, rose from the dead, and so did they.

Third, let us be humbly thankful that the Lord overcame our unbelief with the gifts of faith and repentance (Ephesians 2:8 and Acts 11:18). Left to ourselves, we would have died in our unbelief. “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Last, let us not despair that certain loved ones do not believe. While they may persist in unbelief, God may be pleased to regenerate them, giving them saving faith someday. Keep praying for them. After all, even the disciples didn’t believe immediately when Jesus rose from the dead.

Errol

The lengths to which some will go to deny the Lordship of Christ

When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure." So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Matthew 28:12-15

The lengths to which some will go to deny the Lordship (and in this case the resurrection) of Christ amazes me.  The Jewish religious leaders went to Pilate in Matthew 27, to do what they could to keep Jesus in the tomb.  They put a seal on the door and had a guard detail stationed outside the tomb.  They did that because they knew that Jesus had promised that He would rise from the dead (v.63)

Then when Jesus had risen, in spite of their efforts to prevent it from happening, they had no recourse except to concoct a lie and bribe others to join in the deception.

The truth was simple.  Jesus rose from the dead.  But when people refuse to believe the truth, it is amazing what lies they will tell and believe, and to what lengths they will go to deny the truth and defend the lie.

Why do we who believe, believe the truth about Jesus and His resurrection?  Is it because we are more intelligent, or more spiritually astute? Not at all. It is because of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.  Let us be amazed that we believe.  Let us humbly thank the Lord, and pray for His work in the lives of those still do not believe.

An Ironic Postscript: In Matthew 27:63, the Jewish religious leaders called Jesus a liar. Then to deny that His resurrection happened exactly as He said it would, they lied and paid others to join in their duplicity. Imagine facing God on judgment day, having called God a liar, and then lying in their attempt to cover the truth.