Intimate Jesus

Jesus is risen

[Main Scripture: John 20:9-11, 14-16]

Day 22

For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and  looked into the tomb.
John 20:9‭-‬11 NKJV

Jesus died and rose after a few days. He died and rose after three days. In the bible, everything has a meaning. And especially numbers. When you study the word of God, ask yourself questions. When you ask questions, it leads you on a journey.

So we know that Jesus died. Now why was the death of Jesus important? To bury our Sins! But why was His resurrection important too?

Firstly, because He is the truth. Jesus said He would rise and He had to, otherwise the Scriptures would be false. But why Resurrect? What makes Jesus' resurrection important?

✍️The resurrection of the Christ is the hope for all believers. Jesus give us ideas on how to live and thrive as a Christian.

His death teaches us the importance of suffering for the glory of the kingdom of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
II Corinthians 4:16 NKJV

Though our outward man (body) is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed everyday!

What a beautiful Scripture! The resurrection of Christ is the beginning of a new walk in God. It's proof that death is beneficial to us. It's important for us believers to die.

WHY?

Because when we die, only then can we begin to walk as Jesus walked here on Earth. For a seed to produce fruit, it has to die. Death is painful. It's dark. But after some time, the fruit of the seed is pleasurable to everyone.

In order for us to produce fruit, we would have to die also. Dying to sin. Dying to all things that enslave us. When we die, we change.

Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher).
John 20:14‭-‬16 NKJV

Verse 14 of this portion of Scripture amazes me. For someone who was a disciple of Jesus, how could she have not known Jesus? Think about it. Three days prior to this moment, Mary is among the only few who witness Jesus' final moments. And even before that, she had spent a great amount of time with Jesus.

Why couldn't she recognize Him? Death changes people. Jesus somehow was transfigured. He had changed. The only thing that Mary was able to recognize was the voice of Jesus.

Which is another lesson for us. We might not see Jesus. And we might not find it easy to see Jesus in people. But His voice speaks to us as we study our Bibles. It's the voice of Jesus that you can recognize if you are truly His sheep.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
John 10:27 NKJV

So what's the distinguishing factor between believers? It's our ability to hear the voice of Jesus. Mary passed the test. Though she couldn't recognize Jesus in His new body, She was able to recognize His voice.

Father we thank you. We bless your name. We glorify your name. Help us to die to ourselves and rise as Jesus rose. Help us to hear the voice of Jesus in all circumstances. That His voice may the be the loudest amongst other voices. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.