He stayed here to get the disciples to BELIEVE IN HIM!
After the death and resurrection Mary went to the tomb and found it empty, “Mary ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” (John 20:2) My first thought is, where were the disciples, WHY WERE THEY NOT AT THE TOMB? These women went to the tomb, saw that Jesus had risen from the dead, “Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words SEEMED TO THEM LIKE IDLE TALES, and THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THEM.” (Luke 24:10-11)
Then Jesus appeared to the two men of Emmaus “…as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, but THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THEM either.” (Mark 16:12-13) Then there is Thomas, “Now Thomas, 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.” (John 20:24-25)
Jesus told them at least three different times in, Luke 13:33; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22; Mark 8:31... “He began to teach them that the Son of Man must…BE KILLED, and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31) Then Jesus just appeared to them as they were locked in a room, “Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said, “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.” (John 20:19-22) Then Jesus gave these instructions just before He ascended to heaven, “ALL AUTHORITY has been GIVEN TO ME in heaven and on earth. GO therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matt. 28:18-20)
-Bill Stockham