November 23 - Jesus Sends

John 20:19-23

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21 ESV)

The resurrected Jesus stood in the midst of the disciples as they hid out in the Upper Room. They were afraid of the other Jews, and for a good reason too. The Jews had just held a sham trial and then executed Jesus right in front of everyone.

Jesus appeared to them, and then charged them with the mission of reaching the very people they were fearful of. The journey of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was to begin in Jerusalem and then make its way around the world.

Jesus sent his apostles out to the nations. They carried the message all over their world. What message is Jesus charging you to carry? Where is he sending you?

November 22 - Jesus the Resurrected Man

Luke 24:36-43

See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:39 ESV)

Some pretty incredible events transpired in a room that has came to be known as the Upper Room. First, the Last Supper was held there and it is where Jesus instituted Communion. Also, Jesus appeared to ten of his disciples there following his death and resurrection.

Seeing Jesus was almost more than they could bare. Their minds couldn't take it. It was inconceivable, even to those who had seen Jesus do the impossible time and time again. Some thought he was merely a spirit, and not actually the resurrected Christ. Jesus put that thought to rest by challenging them to see his scars and to touch his skin. He challenged them to experience his resurrected body.

He is still challenging us to experience the resurrection. He beckons us to him to find hope, healing, and forgiveness. Not to just a spirit; but to the resurrected Son of God.

November 21 - Peter Saw Jesus

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:3-5 ESV)

I can't help it. When I consider death I think of the finality of it. It just sounds like an ending. And, in spite of my belief about the afterlife, anytime someone I am close to dies it feels like a forced goodbye.

I think Peter must have felt much the same way about Jesus. The resurrection wasn't something to they were counting on. No one had done it before. And even though Jesus told them exactly what would happen! it seems like they largely missed the point.

So when Jesus began to appear to his disciples I can't imagine how they must have felt. It would have been like seeing something you believed to be impossible happen right before your eyes. Like seeing a fallen leaf fall up or a man flying under his own power.

Death feels certain. And life after death unknown. We believe, and we hope we know, but we don't know for certain. Peter had his conviction steeled the day the risen Son of God appeared to him. The man he loved demonstrate the reality of his deity by returning to life. Everything changed for him he day that Peter saw Jesus.

November 18 - Running to Jesus

John 20:1-10

Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. (John 20:4 ESV)

Peter and John heard that the tomb of Jesus was empty, but they had to see it for themselves. So they ran all way there. John outran Peter, but Peter went in first.

They saw the empty tomb. Jesus was not there. They believed him to be alive, but they didn't yet understand the significance of the event. It was unprecedented.

Today, it is still unprecedented. People don't just come out of tombs. When we run to Jesus we aren't running to the grave. We're running to the grave robber. We're running to life.

November 17 - Alive!

Read: Matthew 28:1-10

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:6 ESV)

Jesus was raised from the dead after three days in the tomb. He had talked about it, predicted it, and then he did it! The authority of Jesus and declaration of his divinity was he resurrection. It is the linchpin of Christianity. Without Christ's resurrection there is no redemption. There is no second chance at a renewed life.

Jesus brought people back a few times during his ministry. Each time was a notable event, but his resurrection was altogether different. When Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb Lazarus was still just a man. He grew old, and eventually he died. The other people that Christ raised all would go on to carry out the natural course of their life. Jesus was different. Jesus didn't lie in a tomb for three days, become miraculously revived, and then go on to die an old man at a later date.

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is the inky one to ever be resurrected. His return to life was not temporary—it was permanent. He defeated death, and by his conquering resurrection he has called us into life eternal. He left death behind, and one day so will we.

November 16 - Prophecy: Ressurection

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. (Psalm 16:10 ESV) Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10, 11 ESV)

For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ (Acts 2:25-28 ESV)

1000 years before Jesus David prophesied concerning his resurrection. About 300 years later Isaiah prophesied the same thing. The Messiah would not stay buried.

The resurrection was the most pivotal moment in all of history. It changed everything. And it was foretold by a couple of guys generations before the birth of Jesus.

November 15 - After Three Days

Read: Matthew 27:62-66

and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ (Matthew 27:63 ESV)

Once Jesus' body had been entombed a group of religious zealots gathered before Pilate. This was the same group that had had Jesus murdered. The same group that had regularly pitched a fit over Jesus performing miracles on the Sabbath were gathering with Pilate on the Sabbath to get someone to seal the tomb.

They remembered Jesus' own words. They remembered his promise to rise again. And they were so blinded by their religious idiocy that they thought to thwart it, proof that they never actually comprehended what was about to happen.

Pilate granted their wish. The tomb was sealed. Guards were posted. The religious goons were satisfied. No one was going to steal he body of Jesus. No one would make false claims about his resurrection.