This was the day when Jesus TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES that He would arise, “Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she 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 20:1-2)
Why were the disciples NOT AT THE TOMB? Did the disciples know Jesus would arise from the dead BENITA? “…the Jews said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and IN THREE DAYS I WILL RAISE IT UP.” Jesus was speaking of the temple of HIS BODY.” (John 2:18-21) “…as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS in the heart of the earth.” (Matt. 12:40) “Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things…be killed, and BE RAISED THE THIRD DAY.” (Matt. 16:21) “He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected…and be killed, and AFTER THREE DAYS RISE AGAIN.” (Mark 8:31)
Jesus very clearly taught that He would die and three days later arise so where were His disciples? ”Now when Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, she went and told those who had been with Him…when they heard that He was THEY DID NOT BELIEVE.” (Mark 16:9-11) “After that, He appeared in another form to two of them 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) The devil uses unbelief as a tool to keep us from doing the work of the Lord! Just think about this promise below in scripture, do we believe it???
“Very truly I tell you, WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME WILL DO THE WORKS I have been doing, and they WILL DO EVEN GREATER THINGS than these, because I am going to the Father. And I WILL DO WHATEVER YOU ASK in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ASK ME FOR ANYTHING in my name, and I WILL DO IT.” (John 14:12-14)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham