Women’s Bible Study - For the Joy that was Set Before Him

John 18-21~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lesson TenJesus’ Resurrection Appearances

John 20:19 - 20:31Study for meeting held __________________

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross. While there were yet ‘steps’ in His exaltation to be accomplished, the ‘steps’ of Jesus’ humiliation were finished, and He has entered into His joy. In our lesson this time, we will look at several of Jesus’ appearances to His disciples and followers; the amazing prophecies fulfilled, and at some of the blessings worked in our lives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day One –

Their eyes were holden It was Resurrection Sunday, probably in the afternoon, that the two men left Jerusalem and walked to the village of Emmaus.Today we will look at what scripture teaches us about the men from Emmaus, and their experiences that day.

Prayer: May we begin our lesson in prayer, asking our Heavenly Father to guide us in this beautiful passage and open our hearts to all the teaching in it. Read: Luke 24:13-24 Mark 16:12-13

Study: 1. What were the men discussing as they walked to Emmaus?

2. Why didn’t they recognize Jesus when He came to walk with them? (Mark 16:12)

3. What question did he ask them? And how do their words show their surprise at the question?

4. What question did they ask Jesus, and what was His response?

5. Give a few points of the ‘things concerning Jesus of Nazareth’ that the men told Jesus:

6. Why would these two men have the privilege of this long visit with Jesus?

Notes: “It must have been between mid-day and sunset that the journey to Emmaus had been taken. It was not the closeness of the relationship to Jesus which won the two men the privilege of that conversation by the way. Neither was it anything in the personal character, position, or services of these two men which drew upon them this great favor of Christ. Had Peter, James and John been the travelers, it would not have been so remarkable that He should have given them so many of the hours of that first day of His resurrection; more hours than He had given to any other interview of that period, perhaps as many as were spent in all the other interviews together. Notes cont.

Day One continued “Why was it that He joined Himself to them? Christ’s first words to them help us to understand. He has been walking beside them so close as to overhear their conversation. But they have their minds so set upon the topic that engrosses them, that they notice not that a stranger has overtaken them, and had been a listener to their discourse. At last in a manner expressive at once of interest and sympathy, Jesus breaks in upon their discourse with the question, “What manner of communications are these that ye have to one another, as ye walk and are sad?” That sadness it is that draws Jesus to their side. Little need of asking such a question as Jesus had asked. Of what else could any two men leaving Jerusalem, only two days after that crucifixion had occurred be talking of than that crucifixion, and Him the crucified? “Art thou only,” says Cleopas, “a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?” And the stranger says to Him, “What things?” Thus it is by questions that Jesus draws out from them that statement, which at once reveals the cause of their grief. And they said unto Him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him. But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since those things were done.” There was indeed much about which these disciples might differ and dispute. The yielding of their Master to the power of His enemies, and His shameful crucifixion two days before, how could they reconcile with His undoubted power, as a prophet so mighty in words and in deed? There was truth, too, in what so many of them had flung reproachfully in His teeth, as He hung upon the cross: He had saved others, why did He not save Himself? What a confused mass of difficulties must have risen up before these two men’s eyes as they reasoned bythe way! And then besides, there was what they had just heard before they left the city, the report of some women that they had gone out, and found the sepulchre empty, and had seen angels, who told them that Hewas alive. Could Jesus actually be alive again? It is clear enough, however, that neither of them had any faith in the resurrection; and just as clear that they were dissatisfied with their unbelief, altogether puzzled and perplexed. Ignorant, they needed to be taught. Now in pity and in love, Christ Himself appears; appears in the garb of a stranger who joins them by the way. They do not recognize Him. For their eyes were holden that they should not know Him.” Rev. G. Ophoff in the SB article: The Disputings of Two of Them

Meditate: May we take Psalm 119:33 with us today and seek more and more to know the Word of God.Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

Prayer: May we close in prayer, asking God to bless this study of His Word to our hearts and to use it in our lives of thankfulness to Him.

Teach me, O Lord, Thy way of truth, and from it I will not depart; that I may steadfastly obey, give me an understanding heart. Psalter #325 st.1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Two –

Slow to believe In His mercy, Jesus encourages the two men to tell Him all their hopes and sorrows and puzzlement concerning Jesus of Nazareth. Today we will look at how Jesus explained to them the way He had to suffer to enter into His glory.

Prayer: May we begin in prayer, asking God to bless us as we look into these verses and the truth Jesus taught these saints and us.

Read: Luke 24:25-27 Study: 1. What was it that Jesus told the men they were ‘slow of heart to believe’?

Questions cont.

Day Two continued2. Explain what Jesus meant with His question – Ought not Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?

3. In explaining the scriptures to the men, what did it mean that Jesus began with ‘Moses’?

4. What would ‘all the prophets’ include?

5. Jesus interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. What does this tell us of the men’s knowledge of those Old Testament passages?

6. Stop and think of the Old Testament passages that you remember that prophecy of Jesus or the Messiah.

7. How does this encourage us to know the scriptures?

Notes: “To the two disciples Christ Himself drew near, because, being true lovers of God and of Zion, they were sad, and therefore could be, and had need of being instructed. Their erring was a matter not so much of the heart as of the head. They were interested not in maintaining themselves in their false conceptions, but in knowing the truth about Christ. They therefore could be corrected. By the mercy of God, they were susceptible to the truth. “And beginning at Moses, and all the prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Yet He did not spare them. “O fools and slow of heart to believe.” He says to them. Slow of heart, indeed, and difficult to convince had they been, who, after such clear declarations of His own beforehand; that He should be delivered to the rulers, and suffer many things at their hands, and be crucified and rise again the third day, had nevertheless remained so obstinate in their unbelief. Yet Christ wounds but to heal. He rebukes the unbelief, but instantly proceeds to remove its grounds. The one great, misleading prejudice of the disciples had been their belief that the path of the promised Messiah was only to be one of triumph and glory. To correct that error, it was only required that they should be made to see that the predicted triumph and glory were only to be reached through the dark valley of suffering and death. “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into glory?” And He expounded to them in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” Rev. G. Ophoff in the SB article: The Disputings of Two of Them

Meditate: May we take Psalm 104:34 with us today and meditate on His Word, and be glad. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Prayer: May we ask God’s blessing on today’s study, that we too, through Jesus’ words to the men, experience that joy.

My heart shall think upon His grace in meditation sweet; My soul, rejoicing in the Lord, His praises shall repeat. Psalter #288 st.4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Three – He expounded   to them

Without realizing what a blessing they were to experience, the travelers to Emmaus heard Jesus, the Son of God Himself, open up the scriptures to them. Today and tomorrow we will look at some of the prophecies concerning Jesus that He might have been explaining to them that day.

Day Three cont.

Day Three continuedPrayer: May we begin our study today, asking God to reveal to us the wonder of His counsel worked out in these scriptures.Read: Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:16-22Study: Read the following prophecies and their fulfillment and write what you learned from them about Jesus, and consider how amazed the travelers must have been to understand their scripture prophecies of the promised Messiah fulfilled.

Today we look at prophecies concerning Jesus’ lineage and birth, and ministry:

Prophesy fulfilled1. Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1

2. Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:22-23

3. Genesis 49:10 Luke 3:33

4. Isaiah 9:6-7 Luke 1:32-33

5. Isaiah 40:3-5 Luke 3:3-6

6. Ps. 69:8 John 1:11 and John 7:5

7. Malachi 4: 5-6 Matthew 11:13-14

8. Psalm 2:7 Matthew 3:16-17

9. Isaiah 9:1-2 Matthew 4:13-16

10. Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:16-22

Notes: “Mark tells us: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” This is significant because it shows the actual content of Jesus' message. He preached that the promise of God spoken by the prophets of old was now being fulfilled. The types and shadows were touching reality. The expected Messiah was come and was about to bring the great sacrifice for the sins of His people, and thus enter into His kingdom. He proclaimed not an earthly, but a heavenly kingdom. He called the people to repentance; Himself creating in their hearts by the Word of His power a true sorrow for sin. His Word caused them to labor and to be heavy laden. And to those who labored and were heavy laden He promised rest, actually also giving rest to their souls. He could say with a divine authority that reached into the very heart of the repentant sinner: "Thy sins are forgiven thee. Go in peace.” Rev. C. Hanko in the SB article: The History of Missions: Jesus' Public Ministry

Meditate: May we take Psalm 33:11 with us today, and rejoice in how perfect the counsel of God is, and how perfectly it is carried out.

The counsel of the LORD standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.Day Three cont.

Day Three continuedPrayer: As we close today’s study may we ask God to bless each of these truths of our Savior to our hearts. He makes the nations’ counsels vain, the plans the peoples would maintain are thwarted by His hand;

Jehovah’s counsel stands secure, His purposes of heart endure, for evermore they stand.Psalter #86 st.2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Four –

Things Concerning Himself The men must have been amazed as Jesus (although they didn’t recognize Him) showed them the counsel of God and how it was fulfilled in Jesus. Today we will look at the prophecies Jesus instructed them in concerning His suffering, death and resurrection.Prayer: May we begin by asking God to lead us in our study, that we too will be blessed in these truths. Read: Psalm 22:18 Matthew 27:35

Study: Read the following prophecies and their fulfillment and write what you learned from them about Jesus, and consider how amazed the travelers must have been to understand how Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled the prophecy they knew in Psalm 22. Prophecies concerning Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection: Prophecy fulfilled1. Zechariah 9:9 Mark 11:7-11

2. Ps. 41:9 and Zech. 11:12-13 Luke 22:47 and Matt. 26:14-16

3. Psalm 35:11 Mark 14:57-58

4. Isaiah 50:6 Matthew 26:67

5. Ps. 35:19 and Ps. 69:4 John 15:24-25

6. Isaiah 53:12 Mark 15:28

7. Psalm 69:21 John 19:28-30

8. Psalm 22:16 John 20:25-27

9. Psalm 22:7-8 Luke 23:35-36

10. Psalm 22:18 Matthew 27:35

11. Ex. 12:46 and Ps. 34:20 John 19:33-36

12. Psalm 22:1 Matthew 27:46

13. Zechariah 12:10 John 19:34-37

14. Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60

15. Ps. 16:10 and Ps. 49:15 Matthew 28:2-7 Day Four cont.

Day Four continued Notes: “The discourses of the prophets of the Old Testament Bible is gospel, good news. Indeed there is certainly as much reason to speak of the gospel according to Isaiah and Amos for example as there is reason to speak of the gospel according to Matthew or Paul or Peter. For the theme of the New Testament Scriptures is the very theme of the prophets of the Old Testament Bible. And this theme is the redemption of the Church of the elect by the triune Jehovah through Christ in His Spirit. Hence, in their totality the Old Testament prophets dealt in their prophecies with every element of truth, redemptive fact - sin and grace, Christ, His incarnation, atonement, resurrection from the dead, ascension into heaven, exalta-tion at the right hand of God, His reign in the midst of His enemies, His headship over all things in the church, the new heavens and the new earth, the Church in glory. But there is a difference. The Old Testament Scriptures set forth the good things of the gospel by promise. On the other hand, the New Testament Scriptures are the Scriptures of the promise fulfilled. When Christ cried out on the cross, “It is finished,” it was finished indeed. Redemption was an accomplished fact in that very moment. And so Christ arose from the grave and was exalted to the highest heavens with His church destined to appear with Him in glory at His coming. The promise is fulfilled indeed. Old things have passed away and all things have become new.” Rev. G. Ophoff in the SB article: The Later Prophets

M editate : May we take Psalm 40:11 with us today and meditate on the mercies of God in Christ.Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD;

let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

Prayer: May we close our study in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for revealing to us the wonder of our accomplished salvation in Jesus Christ.

O Lord my God, how manifold Thy wondrous works which I behold.And all Thy loving, gracious thought thou hast bestowed on man;

to count Thy mercies I have sought, but boundless is their span. Psalter #111 st. 3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Five – Did not our hearts burn within us?

When the men arrived at their destination, it was as if they didn’t want to part with this Man who instructed them in the scriptures. Today we will look at how their eyes were opened.

Prayer: As we look at God’s Word here may we ask God to reveal to us the depth of joy the men experienced and that we too know that joy.Read: Luke 24:28-32

Study: 1. What did the two men ask Jesus?

2. Explain from vss. 30-31 what took place when Jesus sat down to eat with them:

3. Verse 32 is one of those passages in scripture that gives us a vivid picture of a spiritual experience:A. Try to describe how the men felt - what did they mean by ‘our hearts burned within us’?

B. Explain how Jesus ‘opened’ to them the scripture. Was this more than explaining?

C. Apply this verse to your own life. How do we experience this ‘opening’ and this ‘burning’?

Day Five cont.

Day Five continuedNotes: “The Stranger had joined them and had inquired about the subject of their anxious discussion. They had unburdened their hearts and minds before Him, though they expressed their amazement that one could be such a lone stranger in Jerusalem that He did not know the only subject of interest. He had rebuked them, exposed their unbelief, expounded to them the Scriptures, and shown them the necessity of the cross of Christ and the folly of their reasoning. As He opened the Scriptures and talked with them in the way, their hearts were set a-burning. They constrained Him to abide with them as they reached the place of their destination, urging that the day was far spent. And He had allowed Himself to be persuaded.  Then it happened. For He brake the bread as they sat at meat, He blessed it and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened. They saw Him! And as they were looking on Him with a mixture of amazement and joy, He vanished out of their sight. It was but for a moment. But they had seen Him. There could be no doubt, for their burning hearts corroborated the vision of their eyes.”

Rev. H. Hoeksema in the SB article: Risen Indeed

“Watch the closing scene. Their plea is: Abide with us! And here are the reasons, Oh stranger! It is toward evening. And the day is far spent! Yes, but Jesus knew the real reason: they had learned to love this stranger. And He went in to tarry with them. Yes, and He was invited to sit at meat with them. And then the second miracle happened. The first miracle was that Jesus would deign to appear to them in earthy garb. As long as their eyes were holden, that is, as long as their eyes just functioned as earthy eyes should function, they would not know Him. But now the second miracle happened. When He took bread, blessed it, and brake, and gave to them, their eyes were opened and they knew Him. And He vanished out of their sight. No manner of misery, despair, sorrow or anything could ever blot out the image of their Lord whom they had learned to know through His Word. No enemy or devil could ever obliterate the image of Jesus that dwelled in their hearts through the Holy Ghost that was given unto them.” Rev. G. Vos in the SB article: Jesus’ Resurrection

Meditate: May we take Psalm 119:18 with us today, and meditate on the wonder of the scriptures.Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Prayer: May we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the knowledge of the truths He has blessed us with in scripture, and ask that by His Spirit we may increase in that knowledge and behold His glory.

Thy servant, blest by Thee, shall live and keep Thy Word with awe; Lord, open Thou my eyes to see the wonders of Thy law. Psalter #323 st.1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Six – Returning to Jerusalem

The seven and a half miles, and the two or three hour walk could not hold them back. But the men had to share their news with the others, so they left immediately to go back to Jerusalem. Today we will look at what took place when they returned.Prayer: May we begin our look into God’s Word in prayer to Him, that He may lead us in the study of this blessing to His disciples.

Read: Luke 24:33-35Study: 1. It was evening already - still on the first day of the week. Why did the men feel compelled to return immediately to Jerusalem? (And can you imagine their conversation as they walked?!)

2. Where did they go, and what does this teach us about these men? Questions cont.

Day Six continued3. Before the men from Emmaus could even speak, what did the disciples tell them?

4. What did the men from Emmaus then share with the disciples and the others?

5. Are we as eager to speak with others of our joy in Christ?

Notes: “Though the day is far spent and they are weary, they must return and impart their joy to the disciples. But also among the disciples there is joy. The shadows of doubt have been lifted from their hearts and minds. “The Lord hath appeared to Simon”. As the weary sojourners from Emmaus approach the place where the disciples are gathered together, they are met with the exultant shout: “The Lord is risen indeed!” He is risen! What a joy is expressed in that one brief sentence! Joy for the disciples even on that night of the resurrection-day, though they did not fully grasp the implication of their own testimony. Joy that would expand and grow and become fuller, richer, deeper when the Spirit of the risen and glorified Lord would be poured forth into their hearts and would reveal unto them in ever greater abundance of spiritual riches the profound significance of the resurrection of the Lord. They would then understand that His resurrection was not a return to them, but an issuing forth into a glory hitherto unknown.”

Rev. H. Hoeksema in the SB article: Risen Indeed

Meditate: May we meditate today on Psalm 70:4 and glorify God, rejoicing in His gift of salvation.Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:

and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

Prayer: May we close in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father Who blesses us with joy in unmeasured blessings in Christ.

All they that seek Thy face with joy in Thee abide, and, loving Thy salvation, say, let God be magnified. Psalter #189 st. 3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Seven -

He stood in the midst of them The men from Emmaus and the disciples, shut in their room for fear, share their news and their amazement. Today we look at what takes place as the men share their experiences.Prayer: As we begin our study may we ask God to guide us that we may understand the meaning and joy of this appearance of Jesus to His disciples.

Read: John 20:19-20 Mark 16:14 Luke 24:36-43

Study: 1. When does John tell us this takes place? John 20:19

2. Why were the doors shut? (Locked?)

3. What took place as the men from Emmaus and the disciples and others were sharing their news?

4. What were Jesus’ first words to them, and why do you think He spoke those words? (Luke 24:36-37)

5. How did Jesus address their fear? (Luke 24:38-40 & John 20:20) Questions cont.

Day Seven continued6. Explain what it means that they ‘disbelieved for joy’?

7. What more did Jesus do to show the disciples that He was ‘flesh and bones’?

Notes: “When the two disciples from Emmaus arrived, they found the eleven (without Thomas) and other of Jesus’ followers behind shut doors. John explains that the latter was a precautionary measure, “for fear of the Jews.” The idea seems to be, according to Lenski, that the doors were locked - both the outer door to the building itself and the inner door to the room in which the company was gathered. Perhaps they feared in particular some action by the authorities as a follow-up to the report of the guards that the disciples had taken the body. But, whatever the reason, John no doubt draws attention to the state of the doors because they relate to the effect produced by the sudden appearance of Jesus in the room. For it seems that the men of Emmaus had just finished recounting Jesus’ appearance to them, when Jesus was suddenly seen to be standing “in the midst of them”. The doors, having been opened in order to admit Cleopas and his friend, must have been rebolted at once. And no one had opened them again. Yet there Jesus stood. How could He have gained entrance? We are not sure that it is correct to say that Jesus “entered” at all – in the sense that He passed through the locked doors, or through the walls. All we know is that those in the room were suddenly able to see Him. Had He been there for some time already unseen we do not know… The disciples were not prepared for that kind of an entrance. Is it really the Lord? And if it is it cannot very well be His body, because walls and doors prove no barrier to whatever this is that we see. If it is indeed Jesus, then it must be a spirit that we see. And the thought of that struck fear into their hearts. Jesus knew not only that they were terrified, but why. So He proceeded at once to dispel their fears.” Don Doezema in Upon This Rock

M editate : May we take Psalm 29:11 with us throughout the day and experience the peace that God blesses us with.

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Prayer: May we finish our study in thanksgiving to God and ask Him to ever make clear to us the peace we have in Him.

Great peace has he who loves Thy law, unmoved, he safely stands; for thy salvation I have hoped and followed Thy commands. Psalter #341 st.3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Eight -

Even so send I you With Jesus in their midst in the upper room, His disciples experienced joy. Today we look at Jesus’ special commission to the disciples.

Prayer: Before we begin today’s study may we ask God to guide us, that we may understand Jesus’ blessing upon the disciples.

Read: John 20:21-23

Study:1. Jesus had showed them His hands and feet and they were glad. Then what did Jesus say, again?

2. What did Jesus mean by the words: “As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you”? What is He sending them to do?

3. After that ‘commission’ what did Jesus do, and what did He say? (vs. 22)? Questions cont.

Day Eight continued4. What did He mean by ‘receive ye the Holy Ghost’, when the Holy Spirit would not be poured out until Pentecost?

5. What did Jesus tell them would be true of their work; what authority would they have? Had they heard that instruction before?

Notes: “John adds another detail to Jesus’ appearance to the eleven on the day of His resurrection. “He breathed on them,” John records, “and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (Luke 20:22). A symbolic act. The breathing was not necessary for the bestowal of the Spirit. Christ could have accomplished the same thing, says Calvin, “by a secret inspiration.” Jesus chose, rather to make use of this sign in order to demonstrate that the Spirit is His; that He, the Spirit, proceeds from Jesus; and that it is through the work of the Spirit in their hearts, His Spirit, that Jesus accomplishes the opening of their understanding. The power of it was unmistakable. For what had always before seemed so dark to the disciples was suddenly intelligible. They must have sensed immediately that spiritual discernment had been granted to them by Him who not only spoke the word but also “reached into their minds by hidden power” (Calvin).At long last, light!” Don Doezema in the SB article: Robbing Christ of His Honor (7) “As the Father hath sent me. By these words, Christ, as it were, installs them in the office  to which He had previously appointed them. But now the Lord ordains them to be His ambassadors, to establish His kingdom in the world. Let it therefore be held by us as an ascertained truth, that the Apostles were now, for the first time, appointed to be ordinary ministers of the Gospel. That His doctrine may not have less authority in the mouth of the Apostles, He bids them succeed to that office which He has received from His Father, places them  in His room, and bestows on them the same authority; and it was proper that their ministry should be ratified in this manner, for they were unknown persons and of mean condition. Moreover, though they had the highest splendor and dignity, yet we know that all that belongs to men does not approach to the excellence of faith. It ought likewise to be observed, that the only subject which is handled in this passage is the preaching of the Gospel; for Christ does not send His Apostles to atone for sins, and to procure justification, as He was sent by the Father. Accordingly, He makes no allusion in this passage to anything which is peculiar to Himself, but only appoints ministers and pastors to govern the Church; and on this condition, that He alone keeps possession of the whole power, while they claim nothing for themselves but the ministry But if Christ, at that time, bestowed the Spirit on the Apostles by breathing,  it may be thought that it was superfluous to send the Holy Spirit afterwards. I reply, the Spirit was given to the Apostles on this occasion in such a manner, that they were only sprinkled by His grace, but were not filled with full power; for, when the Spirit appeared on them in tongues of fire, (Acts 2:3,) they were entirely renewed. And, indeed, He did not appoint them to be heralds of His Gospel, so as to send them forth immediately to the work, but ordered them to take repose, as we read elsewhere, Remain ye in the city of Jerusalem till ye are endued with power from on high, (Luke 24:49.) While Christ enjoins the Apostles to forgive sins, He does not convey to them what is peculiar to Himself. It belongs to Him to forgive sins. This honor, so far as it belongs peculiarly to Himself, He does not surrender to the Apostles, but enjoins them, in His name, to proclaim the forgiveness of sins,  that through their agency He may reconcile men to God. In short, properly speaking, it is He alone who forgives sins through His apostles and ministers. And to those whose sins you retain. Christ adds this second clause, in order to terrify the despisers of His Gospel, that they may know that they will not escape punishment for this pride.” John Calvin in Calvin’s Commentary on the BibleMeditate: May we take Isaiah 43:25 with us today and remember that our God has blotted out our sins. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Day Eight cont.

Day Eight continuedPrayer: May we humbly draw near to our Heavenly Father in thanksgiving for all His undeserved mercy.

Against us sin has battled hard; for help we look to thee and pray; Thou our transgressions wilt forgive, yea, Thou wilt take them all away. Psalter #166 st.2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Nine -

I will not believe In this appearance of Jesus to His disciples, one of them was not present.Today we will begin to look into that disciple’s words and the meaning behind them. Prayer: May we begin our day’s study by asking God to bless us that we may understand this unbelief and examine our own hearts.

Read: John 20:24-25 John 11:11-16 John 14:3-5

Study: 1. Who was missing at that appearance of Jesus, and what do we know about him?

2. What words did the disciples greet him with?

3. What three ‘conditions’ did he have before he would believe?

4. Consider his words: “I will not believe”:Is he doubting his fellow disciples here?

Is he refusing to believe?

Notes: “Thomas had a problem. Under the providential direction of God, he had missed the great unveiling. Throughout the first resurrection Sabbath, reports came to the upper room that Jesus had arisen from the dead. Toward evening the travelers to Emmaus returned with the marvelous tidings that Christ had made Himself known unto them in the breaking of bread. They were greeted by the joyful song, "The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared unto Simon." That same evening, while the disciples were musing on these great wonders, the door being closed, Jesus suddenly stood in their midst. He showed them His hands and feet, He ate broiled fish. Thomas missed it all.  His reaction? "Except I shall 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."  We don't know where Thomas was or why he wasn't there with the other disciples. One thing is sure, God wanted Thomas excluded. It was for our sakes.  For Thomas seeing was believing.  From what we know about him in John 11 and John 14, we can easily understand the position Thomas took. He wasn't pessimistic. He wasn't a naive doubter. He simply didn't believe anything he couldn't touch, taste, smell, hear, and see. He was made captive to his senses. He had to learn that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  The marvel of this event is that God comes to each one of us in the way that we need Him. This was true for the women, agitated and perplexed He greeted them with, "All hail!" Mary longed to have her Jesus back in order that she might minister to His needs, so Jesus said to her, "Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended unto my Father in heaven." The disciples were confused and terrified and to them He said, "Peace be unto you." He showed them the nail prints and they rejoiced. And here we have Thomas who has to see in order to believe. For his sake Jesus returned the next Sunday.”

Rev. J. Kortering in the SB article My Lord and My God Notes cont.

Day Nine continued “From those instances when the Scriptures speak of Thomas in particular, we gather that he was one of so many who always looked on the dark side of things. Perhaps we could say that he was also of a stubborn disposition, one who would defend his point of view until he knew that he could not any longer maintain it. But at the same time he reflected a certain warmth in his character, and certainly he must have loved Jesus with a very deep love. He, too, along with the others of the apostle group evidently misunderstood the Lord and His mission, believing that He had come to set up an earthly kingdom… For Thomas, the resurrection was an impossibility. That Jesus would rise from the dead, was farthest from his thoughts and understanding. For him the cause of Jesus was lost with His death. And this explains why he was not gathered with the rest on the evening of the resurrection. This also explains why he answered as he did when the disciples announced to him that the Lord was risen from the dead. It made no impression on him except to push him down further in his state of gloom, for he would not believe until he had seen for himself.” Rev. M. Schipper in the SB article: Believing in the Resurrection

Meditate: May we meditate on Psalm 9:10 today and consciously place our trust in our God. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee;for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Prayer: May we close our study today giving thanks to God for the great gift of faith.

Thou, Lord, art a refuge for all the oppressed; all trust Thee who know Thee, and trusting are blest;For never, O Lord, did Thy mercy forsake the soul that has sought of Thy grace to partake.

Psalter #16 st.4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Ten – Be not faithless but believing

 In His grace to Thomas and to us, Jesus came again to reveal Himself to Thomas Today we will look again at Thomas to see his faith activated by sight. Prayer: May we begin our lesson today asking God to open up to us the wonder of faith. Read: John 20:26-29

Study: 1. Describe, according to John 20:26 when and where Jesus appeared the sixth time:

2. Once again what was His greeting to the disciples?

3. What did Jesus immediately instruct Thomas to do?

4. What did Jesus tell Thomas to be? 5. Is faith in our control?

6. Did Thomas actually touch Jesus’ hands and side?

7. What was Thomas’ personal confession?

8. What brought him to that confession?Questions cont.

Day Ten continued9. What were Jesus’ words to Thomas following his confession?

Does that include us?

Notes: “Thomas is not a doubter, or an unbeliever, but he is one who will believe only what he can see with his eyes, and handle with his hands. But such a one, so long as he remains such, can never taste the blessedness of seeing the unseen. That he might become an eye-witness of the resurrection, as the rest, the Lord appears unto him eight days later as he is now assembled with the rest of the disciples.  Directly the Lord goes to Thomas and exhorts him to “reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” We do not read that Thomas responded by touching Him, and we suppose that he did not. Immediately he exclaims “My Lord, and my God.” Thomas believed what he saw very plainly, namely, the appearance of the resurrected Lord.  “Then Jesus saith unto him, Thomas because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are those not seeing, and believing.”  Thomas, you have seen Me, and therefore you have believed!  Your faith, wherein you now rejoice, has come up in your soul and has overwhelmed your heart because you have seen Me with your natural, earthly eyes.  Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed!  And that faith shall give greater joy and richer blessing than that which Thomas experienced when he saw with his natural eye the appearance of the risen Saviour. Greater blessedness it is, because of its deeper and spiritual cause!  For, you see, the risen Christ is exalted to God's right hand where He receives the Spirit without measure, and that Spirit He pours out in the church and in the hearts of all them who are ordained to eternal life. And they do not need to see Him with their natural eye, for He takes up His abode in them. And they believe what they do not see. Blessed are they, indeed!  But there is more!  Thomas could not believe in the resurrection, because he did not understand and believe in the cross. To him the cross was the end of all his hope.  But blessed are they who see in the resurrection the efficacy of the cross! Christ is risen from the dead as a signal of their justification through His humiliation and descent into hell. As Paul later expressed it: “Who was delivered because of our offences, and raised again because of our justification." Not was He raised to justify us, but because we were justified in His deliverance for our offences. This is what faith believes, that which cannot be seen with the natural eye. And that is blessed, indeed!  Still more! As Peter also later expressed it in these words: “Who having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” This is the blessedness of which the Lord speaks in the text.  Marvelous indeed! We see Him not, for He is in heaven; yet we love Him. Though now we see Him not, yet believing, we joy with joy unspeakable.  Wonderful faith!” Rev. M. Schipper in the SB article: Believing in the Resurrection  

Meditate: May we take Ephesians 2:8 with us today, and meditate on the truth that by God’s grace we may say ‘my Lord and my God’.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Prayer: May we close today’s study by thanking God for His mercy, and asking Him to so work in us that we may always have the zeal of faith to love and serve Him.

All that I am I owe to Thee, Thy wisdom, Lord, hath fashioned me; I give my Maker thankful praise, Whose wondrous works my soul amaze. Psalter #383 st.1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Eleven –

Jesus’ Glorified Human Body We have looked at six appearances of Jesus and have seen that there were differences each time. Today we will look at the resurrection body of Jesus.

Day Eleven cont.

Day Eleven continuedPrayer: May we begin today’s lesson by asking God to guide us in our study that we may be blessed by His Word in this passage. Read: John 20:15 Luke 24:15-16 Luke 24:33-37

Study: 1. According to the passages above, how did Jesus look when He appeared to these different people?

2. How did each finally recognize Him?

3. Could Jesus, in His resurrection body, be in more than one place at a time?

4. What were some differences between Jesus’ body while alive, and His resurrection body?

Notes: “There must have been a distinct difference between the body of Jesus as it was glorified, and the familiar figure that His followers had learned to know so well when He walked yet among them. It seems in fact that if He did not reveal Himself also by His words and deeds the disciples would not always have been convinced that He who stood before them was in actuality the Lord… Where just a moment earlier they saw no one, there they now see Jesus. Had He been there all the time, invisible to their sight? They could not tell… According to His human nature, which He possessed after His resurrection and which He possesses just as really in heaven today Jesus was and is not everywhere present. He could be in only one place at one time. The resurrection was not a mere glorification of the spirit; nor was it a new creation. The empty grave speaks beyond a shadow of doubt of the fact that it was a resurrection of the body. It would hardly be necessary, then, for Him to take on that which He already possessed. But what He did possess was a glorified human body. His body was therefore beyond the reach of human sense - unless He chose to show Himself, so that He could be seen by human eyes and even handled by human hands. And He did that on a number of occasions before His ascension forty days later. The body that had been raised was essentially the same as that which had been crucified. And yet He was so strangely different. His followers must have sensed immediately that, though He was perceived by their senses, He was with them no longer as He had been before. He had risen indeed, but not to return to them. Christ’s resurrection, again according to Rev. Hoeksema is not a simple “return to the old; it is something strictly and absolutely new…The image of the earthy was removed, to be replaced by, or changed into the image of the heavenly. Exactly how, in what observable way, Jesus’ body had changed we cannot tell. But that His resurrection body was a changed body is a certainty, for the natural body that had been sown in dishonor and in weakness, had been raised a spiritual body in glory, and in power... But, again, we can say so little about it. Edersheim covers it all when he writes that, “So unlike, and yet so like, was the glorified Body to that which they (His disciples) had known.” Don Doezema in Upon This Rock

“In the likeness of sinful flesh He had come into the world, like unto His brethren in all things, sin excepted. With a body like unto the body of His brethren He had descended into the grave, weak and mortal, corruptible and inglorious, of the dust and earthy. In the form of a servant He had humbled Himself even unto death and the agonies of hell. But in that form of a servant, in that likeness of sinful flesh, He did not return when He arose from the dead. Though, indeed, His resurrection-body was no new creation; though in it He could show the marks of identity with the body that was nailed to the cross, yet it was no more weak but strong, no more corruptible but incorruptible, no more in dishonor but in glory, no more mortal but immortal. The resurrection of the Lord is the swallowing up of death! The Lord is risen indeed! But even so all is not said. The resurrection of the Lord transcends in glory all that ever was or might have been, had the Lord from heaven not come down to unite Himself with the flesh and blood of the children. Notes cont.

Day Eleven continued “The glory of the risen Lord is not earthy but heavenly. He arises from the grave clothed with the glory of the image of the heavenly, in body and soul, the image of the Son, reflected in the human nature in highest possible degree of perfection. The Lord is risen indeed. He did not return, but went on into the glory of God's perfected work. What unspeakable joy!”

Rev. H. Hoeksema in the SB article: Risen Indeed

Meditate: May we meditate on I Corinthians 15:19-20 today and rejoice in God’s perfected work.If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Prayer: May we close our study today asking God to impress upon our hearts the wonder of Jesus’ resurrection – the glory of God’s perfected work, and what that means in our lives.

I know that I shall not be left forgotten in the grave, And from corruption, Thou, O Lord, Thy holy one wilt save. Psalter #38 st. 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Twelve – That ye may believe

John breaks into his historical account of Jesus’ appearances after His resurrection, to tell us the reason for his writing. Today we look at these verses to learn the meaning of these words God inspired John to write.Prayer: Before we look at this portion of God’s Word, may we ask Him to guide us by His Spirit that we may understand what it means for our lives.

Read: John 20:30-31

Study: 1. This is often described as the theme of John’s gospel. Why would it be placed here in the gospel, and not at the end?

2. What did John mean in this verse by signs, and what were these signs he was speaking about?

3. Why did John write ‘in the presence of his disciples’? By ‘disciples’ does John mean believing followers?

Didn’t Jesus perform miracles before the Pharisees, or unbelievers? Does he mean these signs were not done before anyone other than believers?

4. John speaks of these signs being written in ‘this book’ meaning his gospel. Does he mean there are more signs written in other gospels?

5. John writes: But these (the signs John did write about) were written for two reasons. Explain those two reasons for which John wrote about these signs: That…

How would these particular signs do that?

And that…..

How could these particular signs do that? Day Twelve cont.

Day Twelve continuedNotes: First we look at a commentary by John Gill: “And many other signs truly did Jesus.’ Besides these wonderful appearances of Jesus to His disciples once and again that John records, when the doors were shut about them; and these signs referring not to what was done before, but after His resurrection; and which He did, in the presence of his disciples; for He appeared to, and conversed with no other but them after His resurrection: which are not written in this book; of John's Gospel; though there are other signs recorded elsewhere; such as His appearing to the two disciples going to Emmaus, and to the eleven on a mountain in Galilee, and to five hundred brethren at once, which other inspired writers speak of, and many there are which He did; which are not particularly written in this, nor in any other book; for He was seen of His disciples forty days, and showed Himself alive, by many infallible proofs; all of which are not recorded. But these are written, the signs John did write about were written in proof of Christ's resurrection for the following purposes: that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; that Jesus, who was called Jesus, the son of Mary, the son of Joseph, the carpenter's son, Jesus of Nazareth, and of Galilee, was the Christ, or true Messiah; which signifies anointed, and takes in all His offices of prophet, priest, and King, to which He was anointed. It is an article of faith of the greatest importance; and is to be believed through the signs proving His resurrection, Who, according to the Scriptures, was to rise again. And by the signs here recorded, it appears He is risen indeed, and therefore must be the true Messiah of the prophets. And also "the Son of God"; which was a known title of the Messiah among the Jews; and is not a name of office, but of nature and relation to God, and describes Christ in His divine nature, or as a divine person. This receives a further confirmation by the resurrection of Christ, Who is thereby declared to be the Son of God with power. John wrote these signs, proving these truths. And his other purpose in recording them, is: and that believing ye might have life through his name: believers have their spiritual and eternal life through Christ, yea, it is in His hands to give it, and He does give it to all that believe: not that believing is the cause of their enjoyment of this life, or is their title to it, but faith is the way and means in which they enjoy it; and therefore these signs are written by the evangelist for the encouragement of this faith in Christ, and of life, in, and through, and from Him.” John Gill in Gill’s Exposition of the whole Bible

John Calvin has a different view. He writes that the signs were all Jesus’ miracles, and that John didn’t record all His miracles, but those that he did record were sufficient to confirm our faith in Jesus’ and believe that Jesus died to give us life. “Many other signs also Jesus did.  John testifies, first, that he has only related some things out of a large number; not that the others were unworthy of being recorded, but because these were sufficient to edify faith. But these are written, that you may believe. By these words he means that he committed to writing what ought to satisfy us, because it is abundantly sufficient for confirming our faith. It may be thought strange, however, that faith is founded on miracles, while it ought to rest exclusively on the promises and word of God. I reply, no other use is here assigned to miracles than to be the aids and supports of faith; for they serve to prepare the minds of men, that they may cherish greater reverence for the Word of God, as Mark says that the Apostles taught, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by accompanying signs.  (Mark 16:20) Although, therefore, strictly speaking, faith rests on the Word of God, and looks to the Word as its only end, still the addition of miracles is not superfluous, provided that they be also viewed as relating to the Word, and direct faith towards it. That Jesus is the Christ. He means the Christ, such as he had been promised in the Law and the Prophets, as the Mediator between God and men. John did not seize upon an empty and unmeaning title to adorn the Son of God, but included, under the name Christ, all the offices which the Prophets ascribe to Him. The meaning of the words therefore is, that these things have been written, that we may believe, so far as faith can be aided by signs. Notes cont.

Day Twelve continued The Son of God. The Evangelist adds this, because not one of the ordinary rank of men could have been found, who was competent to perform so great undertakings. That believing, you may have life. This effect of faith was also added, to restrain the foolish longings of men that they may not desire to know more than what is sufficient for obtaining life.  Here John repeats the most important point of his doctrine, that we obtain eternal life by faith, because, while we are out of Christ, we are dead, and we are restored to life by His grace alone.” John Calvin in his Commentary on John Meditate: May we meditate on I Cor. 15:17 today. Apart from Christ’s resurrection, we would still be in our sins. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Prayer: May we close our study in great thankfulness to our God for the promise that we have life through His Name, because He is the Son of God.

My Savior, ‘neath Thy sheltering wings my soul delights to dwell;Still closer to Thy side I press, for near Thee all is well.

My soul shall conquer every foe, upholden by Thy hand; Thy people shall rejoice in God, Thy saints in glory stand. Psalter #163 st.3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Thirteen –

Resurrection Faith “Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed.” Today we look at that faith – what it is and how we have it.

Prayer: May we begin today by asking God to reveal to us the wonder of faith in Jesus’ resurrection and what it mean in our lives.

Read: John 20:24-29 I Peter 1:3-9 Acts 17:3 Romans 8:33-35 I Corinthians 15:12-20 Study: 1. When (at what point) did Thomas rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus?

2. What were Thomas’ words to Jesus, and what were Jesus’ words of response to him at that time?

3. Those beautiful words describe us. Why can and do we believe that Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave, when we didn’t see it?

4. Jesus told Thomas that we are blessed. Does that blessing rest on our belief?

5. Faith confesses “My Lord and My God.” That is our confession. How can we live that confession?

Notes: “Whom having not seen, ye love!  And that "whom" refers, of course, to Christ Jesus, of Whom the apostle had spoken in the last part of the preceding verses. Wonderful, and humanly inexplicable fact! We have never seen Him, yet we love Him! Though we now do not see Him, yet we believe, and we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory!  Wonderful faith! For it is a love, and a faith, that is rooted in Christ Jesus in Whom is all our salvation!Never apart from Him are we saved!  He is the fountain out of which we must drink. He is the heavenly manna which we must eat. He is the Saviour Who must save His people from their sins. He is both the sacrifice for our sins, and the Priest Who brings the atoning sacrifice. Wonderful is the believing and receiving of that salvation! Notes cont.

Day Thirteen continued “Though now we see Him not, yet we love Him; and though we do not see Him, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of joy. Receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. Now, according the capacity of our faith, which is His grace of salvation in us, we rejoice with joy unspeakable. How great that joy shall be when the end of our faith shall be realized, in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ! When we shall see Him Whom our soul loveth! How unspeakably great shall that salvation appear when we shall experience it both in soul and body in the day of His coming!  Most desirable salvation!  What is your interest, beloved reader, in that salvation? The original readers of this epistle were undoubtedly greatly interested. How else could you explain the fact that they loved Him Whom they had not seen, and believing in Him rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory? Surely, all this is true only of those who have experienced that salvation with the tasting knowledge of faith.  A glorious experience! Which is to be found under the preaching of the gospel in the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven!  In the Holy Ghost as the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ! Only by faith we rejoice, and only by faith do we have the hope of that final joy that shall be revealed to us in the day of Christ, when He shall be manifested.  Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet believe!” Rev. M. Schipper in the SB article: Receiving our Salvation in Christ

Meditate: May we take I Peter 1:8-9 with us today and believe that because of God’s grace, we may rejoice with joy unspeakable!

Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom, though now ye see him not,Yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of our soul.

Prayer: May we close our study in thanksgiving to God Who has given us eyes of faith to believe in our risen Savior.

Hope in the Lord, ye waiting saints, and He will well provideFor mercy and redemption full and free with Him abide;

From sin and evil, mighty though they seem, His arm almighty will His saints redeem. Psalter #362 st.3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Using our extra space – and extra time? Take each phrase of today’s meditation verse and think on what it means to you. As Rev. Schipper wrote: ‘with the tasting knowledge of faith’.

Whom having not seen,

ye love,

in whom, though now ye see him not,

yet believing,

ye rejoice, with joy unspeakable

and full of glory:

Receiving the end of your faith,

even the salvation of our soul.