DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #50 and final in series)

Peace Be Unto You (See Luke 24:33-48, John 20:19-29)

When Jesus first appeared to the disciples in the upper room, they didn’t recognize Him at first. But then He spoke and they knew Him. “Peace be unto you.”

Jesus is ever ready to speak peace to souls that are burdened with doubts and fears. He waits for us to open the door of the heart to Him, and say, abide with us. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears My voice, and open the door, I will come into them, and will dine with them, and they with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

The Holy Spirit was not yet fully manifested, for Christ had not yet been glorified. The more abundant impartation of the Spirit did not take place until after Christ’s ascension.

Jesus committed to the disciples a most sacred trust with the work before them. He desired to impress them with the fact that without the Holy Spirit, this work could not be accomplished. The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.

Remission of sins can be obtained only through the merits of Christ.

When Jesus first met the disciples in the upper chamber, Thomas was not with them. He had heard the report of others , and received abundant proof that Jesus had risen, but gloom and unbelief filled his heart. It wounded his vanity to think that Jesus had revealed  Himself to all the others except Him. He would not accept the witness of his brethren, or exercise faith that was dependent upon their testimony. He ardently loved his Lord, but he had allowed jealousy and unbelief to take possession of his mind and heart.

Many who are given to doubt excuse themselves by saying that if they had the evidence which Thomas had from his companions, they would believe. They do not realize that they have not only that evidence, but much more. Many who, like Thomas, wait for all cause of doubt to be removed, will never realize their desire.

In His treatment of Thomas, Jesus gave a lesson for His followers. His example shows how we should treat those whose faith is weak, and who make their doubts prominent. Jesus did not overwhelm Thomas with reproach, nor did he enter into controversy with him. Unbelief is seldom overcome by arguing or scorn. Instead it is put upon self-defense, and finds new support for excuse.

But let Jesus, in His love and mercy, be revealed as the crucified Savior, and from many once unwilling lips will be heard the acknowledgement of Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”

By the Sea Once More (See John 21:1-22)

Much of the time of Christ’s ministry had been passed near the Sea of Galilee.

Seven of the disciples were in company. They were clad in the humble garb of fishermen. They were poor in worldly goods, but rich in the knowledge and practice of the truth, which in the sight of Heaven gave them the highest rank as teachers. They had not been students in the rabbinical schools, but for three years they had been taught by the greatest Educator the world had ever known.

Christ had a lesson to give especially relating to Peter. Peter’s denial of his Lord had been in shameful contrast to his former professions of loyalty. He had dishonored Christ, and incurred the distrust of his brethren. They thought he would not be allowed to take his former position among them, and he himself felt that he had forfeited his trust. Before being called to take up again his apostolic work, he must before them all give evidence of his repentance. The Savior gave him opportunity to regain the confidence of his brethren, and, so far as possible, remove the reproach he had brought upon the gospel.

Here is a lesson for all of Christ’s followers. The gospel makes no compromise with evil. It cannot excuse sin. Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God. But for open sin, open confession is required.

Peter was naturally forward and impulsive, and Satan had taken advantage of these characteristics to overthrow him. Just before the fall of Peter, Jesus had said, “Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith doesn’t fail, and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31, 32)

That time had now come, and the transformation in Peter was evident. The close, testing words of the Lord had not called out one forward, self-sufficient reply. And because of his humiliation and repentance, Peter was better prepared than ever before to act as shepherd to the flock.

Before his fall, Peter was always speaking unadvisedly, from the impulse of the moment. He was always ready to correct others, and to express his mind before he had clear comprehension. But the converted Peter was very different. He had retained his former fervor, but the grace of Christ regulated his zeal. He was no longer impetuous, self-confident, and self-exalted. He was calm, self-possessed, and teachable.

The Savior’s manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for all time. It taught to meet the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Although Peter had denied his Lord, Christ’s love toward him never faltered.

Peter had tried to plan for the work of God, instead of waiting to follow God’s plan. But he could gain nothing by rushing ahead of the Lord. Jesus bids him, “follow Me.” Do not run ahead of Me. Then you will have the hosts of Stan to meet alone. Let Me go before you, then you will not be overcome by the enemy.

It is our work to look to Christ and follow Him. We shall see mistakes in the lives of other, and defects in their characters. But in Christ we shall find perfection. By beholding Him, we become transformed.

Go Teach All Nations (See Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-12)

The disciples were to be co-laborers with their Redeemer in the work of saving the world.

Christ’s word on the mountainside were His announcement that His sacrifice in behalf of humanity was full and complete. Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His commission to the disciples… All who come to Me, confessing their sins, I freely receive. All who will, may be reconciled to God, and receive everlasting life.

The humblest worker, moved by the Holy Spirit, will touch invisible chords, whose vibrations will ring to the ends of the earth, and make melody through eternal ages.

Jesus lifts men from the narrow circle which their selfishness prescribes. He abolishes all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society. He makes no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends, and enemies. He teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our brother or sister.

There were places where the Savior Himself could not do many might works because of their unbelief. So now, unbelief separates the church from her divine Helper. Her hold upon eternal realities is weak. By her lack of faith, God is disappointed, and robbed of His glory.

Divine love has been stirred to unfathomable depths of humanity, and angels marvel to behold the recipients of so great love return a mere surface gratitude. Angels marvel at man’s shallow appreciation of the love of God. Heaven stands indignant at the neglect of souls in need.

The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power.

Christ is sitting for His portrait in every Christian. Let it be reflected in the character, and manifested in the life. In everyone, Christ’s long suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the world.

Instead of man’s speculations, let the word of God be preached. Let Christians put away their dissensions, and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them in faith ask for the blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in apostolic days was the “former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the “latter rain” will be more abundant! (Joel 2:23)

All who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind.

Jesus had authenticated the fact that He was a living Savior! His disciples need no longer associate Him with the tomb. They could now think of Him as glorified before the heavenly universe.

As Jesus ascended to heaven, the awestricken disciples gazed upward.

When the disciples went back to Jerusalem, the people looked upon them with amazement. After the trial and crucifixion of Christ, it had been thought that they would appear downcast and ashamed. Their enemies expected to see upon their faces an expression of sorrow and defeat. Instead of this there was only gladness and triumph. Their faces were aglow with a happiness not born of earth.

They did not mourn over disappointed hopes, but were full of praise and thanksgiving to God. With rejoicing they told the wonderful story of Christ’s resurrection and His ascension to heaven, and their testimony was received by many.

The disciples no longer had any distrust of the future. They knew that Jesus was in heaven. They knew they had a friend at the throne of God, and they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus.

For us our Lord ascended, and for us He lives!

“Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing that He ever lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)