Mary found the tomb of Jesus empty, she ran and told the disciples, Peter and John ran to the tomb. “…the disciple who had reached the tomb first (John) also went in, and he saw and believed— for until then they STILL HADN’T UNDERSTOOD THE SCRIPTURES that said Jesus must rise from the dead.” (John 20:8-9)
Let’s look at what Jesus taught them:
- “He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, AND BE KILLED, and after three days RISE” (Mark 8:31)
- “He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and THEY WILL KILL HIM. And after He is killed, He will RISE the third day.” (Mark 9:31)
- “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, AND KILL HIM. And the third day He will RISE“ (Mark 10:33-34)
Very specifically, on these three occasions, JESUS TAUGHT OF HIS DEATH and on a few other occasions He mentioned He was being prepared for His death.
Before we become critical of them let’s look at something else very specific Jesus taught THAT WE HAVE DIFFICULTY BELIEVING. “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORKS (the miracles I do) themselves. “Most assuredly, I say to you, HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, the works that I do HE WILL DO ALSO; and GREATER WORKS THAN THESE HE WILL DO, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, THAT I WILL DO, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask ANYTHING in My name, I WILL DO IT.” (John 14:11-14) Is there any scriptural verification that this will happen? “…through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people…they brought the sick out into the streets, that at least THE SHADOW OF PETER passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and THEY WERE ALL HEALED.” (Acts 5:12, 15-16)
WHEN WE BELIEVE THE PROMISE OF JESUS, WE’LL DO THESE MIRACLES!
-Bill Stockham