ALWAYS CHASE AFTER THAT WHICH IS GOOD

FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

Our Bible is silent of dialog between the apostles for the past 60 some odd hours since Jesus died with meekness in what was recorded and witnessed a very horrible death. As those closest to Christ sat in numb disbelief, pondering, remembering, sobbing, few words were probably exchanged; only sorrow.

Remember when Jesus was being tempted by Satan for 40 days and forty nights in the wilderness?

Luk 4:13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

Satan knew that he could never overcome Jesus, the Son of God. The Apostles, however, they were another matter entirely.

It is here during the time between the terrible death of Jesus, and that which would soon be revealed, that Satan probably used every trick in his book to dislodge their faith and replace it with doubt and question. This may well be that "opportune" time the devil had been referring to.

FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK - - SUNDAY MORNING

Mat 28:1-6 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. (2) And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. (3) And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. (4) The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. (5) The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. (6) "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

The women arrived before sunlight in order to begin correctly preparing the Lord's body for proper burial. Even though Jesus had repeatedly told all of them of these events, their minds could not grasp the reality that was now unfolding before their frightened eyes.

Luk 24:4-7 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; (5) and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? (6) "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, (7) saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

Can you imagine the fear that overtook these women? They had barely caught their breath over His death and now, this very minute, everything they had witnessed is in question. He could be alive!

Joh 20:11-18 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; (12) and she *saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. (13) And they *said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She *said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." (14) When she had said this, she turned around and *saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus *said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she *said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." (16) Jesus *said to her, "Mary!" She turned and *said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). (17) Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" (18) Mary Magdalene *came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.

All of the apostles struggled with the news. Despite their desperation, wanting so to believe and having directly witnessed similar events while in the company of Christ Jesus, their brain simply could not process this event. It would be later this day when the reality would finally break Satan's disbelieving temptive bond.

Joh 20:19-22 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, "Peace be with you." (20) And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (21) So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." (22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

HE HAS RISEN

Isa 53:1-12 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (2) For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (3) He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (4) Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. (6) All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. (7) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. (8) By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? (9) His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. (10) But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. (11) As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

OUR LORD, OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?