4/19/14- The Prince Of Peace Appears

19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 

(John 20:19-23)

Thoughts:  Jesus not only rose from the dead on Sunday, but He also appeared to His disciples on this day.  So the disciples changed the name of the day to "The Lord's Day" (Rev. 1:10).  

Jesus replied three times in this chapter "Peace be with you."  It is the words of Gabriel to Mary when the angel announced Jesus' coming.  It is the words of the angels to the shepherds- "Peace on earth goodwill toward those on whom His favor rests." In His resurrection, Jesus offers us peace.  Peace about death; Peace in the face of the fear and crosses we face; Jesus offers us peace with God; peace with others and peace within ourselves.  He said the night he was arrested: "Peace I give you.  Not as the world gives give I to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid...trust in me."  Jesus's resurrection is our peace and proves He is the Prince of Peace.  

Prayer: Prince of Peace, let your peace flow into and through me.  

4/8/12- Easter!

47- 4/8- Easter- He is risen!

WSC 28-

Q. 28- How is Christ exalted?

A. Christ is exalted by rising on the third day; in ascending into heaven; sitting on the right hand of God the Father, and coming to judge the world in glory at the last day. 

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,  “‘The Lord said to my Lord:  “Sit at my right hand, (Acts 2:33-34)

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:3)

Thoughts: One of the frequent sayings of the early church that is recorded both in James and 1 Peter is, “humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.”  Christ Himself is the greatest example of someone who humbled Himself, and yet was exalted for His humility.  His rising from the dead shows us the power of God to lift up the humble, and to give life and hope when there is none.  His ascension sealed His resurrection as much as His burial sealed His death.  The ascension of Christ means that He is at work for all of us- at the throne.  The One who came, lived, and died for us is the One who is at a position of power and even talking to the Father, interceding on our behalf.  His ultimate glory will be revealed at the end of history when “every eye will see Him.”  Perhaps we could also add the phrase, “every knee will bow” before Him at the judgment too. Christ’s exaltation affirms His teaching of love and humility and shows all of us that faith and trust in God is not overlooked by Him.  He is to be praised for He is worthy- solo dei Gloria!

Prayer: Alleluia!  You are worthy, O Lord. You are exalted to your rightful place.  Help me to fix my eyes on you the author and perfector of my faith.  Give me grace to long for your appearing.  Come Lord Jesus!