Harmony Highlights 25
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Harmony Highlights 25 by Gene Van Shaar
Notes: Biblical texts are from the King James Version. If no text is given, the event is not mentioned by that author. Reference links lead to alternate translations. Event numbers and locations match the Concise Harmony. Lowercase letters after references indicate a suggested priority or order.
Event #240 Resurrected Reality
Location: Jerusalem (South)
Matthew
Mark 16:14c
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
Luke 24:36-48a (Link to NIV)
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
John 20:19-23b
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Event 240 Notes and Insights
Jesus Christ made sure that his disciples saw, touched, and knew for themselves that his resurrected body was a physical reality and that he could enjoy a meal with them. Later, he ascended to heaven with the promise that “this same Jesus” will return to the earth (Acts 1:11). When he does return, we should not expect to see an ethereal wraith or gaseous cloud claiming to be the Christ. He will return as the same resurrected being he was when he left.
The Bible testifies again and again that Christ rose from the dead unto eternal life. The tomb was empty. Christ was careful to verify that his spirit was clothed with a glorified body of flesh and bones. A curious blending of Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine resulted in creeds which speak of an immaterial God but the truth about God has to include the reality of the resurrection.
Discussion Questions
(1) What experience or insight have you had related to this event?
(2) What principle(s) does this event teach you?
(3) What do you love about this event, and why?
(4) How can you apply this event to your life?
© Copyright 2024 Gene Van Shaar