John 20:1-8
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
As much as I may study and seek to understand the deep mysteries of God, one thing is clear, true spiritual enlightenment does not come from information, but by revelation. You can read all you want, research until your head hurts, but some things are only revealed through the Spirit of Christ.
Look at Peter and John for example. As close as they were to Jesus, his resurrection took them by surprise. John readily admits he didn’t understand the importance of resurrection. John 20:9 “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.” But the absence of knowledge about the Word regarding resurrection didn’t stop him from receiving revelation concerning His promise to return. Even without the information John says he saw and believed. But what did he see. What did he believe? And what was the catalyst for his confidence in Christ Jesus?
Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll shares these facts from the Bible:
· One out of every 30 verses in the Bible mentions the subject of Christ's return or the end of time.
· Of the 216 chapters in the New Testament, there are well over 300 references to the return of Christ.
· 23 of the 27 New Testament books mention Christ's return.
· In the Old Testament, such well-known and reliable men of God as Job, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, as well as most of the minor prophets mention Christ's return in their writings.
And John writes at 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
One of the more common fallacies in Christendom is the notion that somehow or other you can make yourself holy and righteous. Another is that your comprehension of scripture is key to living a godly life. Both aren’t true. You cannot make yourself holy. The Bible declares our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). And as for comprehension? The Apostle Paul writes, Romans 11:34-36 NIV “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
So what am I saying? Serving God is not an intellectual pursuit. Our walk with the Lord is strictly spiritual. In other words, I pray to share information that is confirmation for the revelations you already have in Christ. It’s the Jesus you know that will affirm His word in you. And the better you know Him, the more profound the revelation.
Watch this. Look at today’s scripture one more time. Please note that John initially seemed apprehensive and maybe a bit confused about what he witnessed in the tomb. But that was until Peter showed him the folded napkin. He, Peter and Jesus knew exactly what that meant. A folded napkin at the scene of habitation when the resident went away meant, I’ll be back. After seeing this Peter and John knew full well that was a sign from Jesus. He’s coming back. Look for your sign and believe.
Good Bless
Just in case you missed the last Sunday’s Sermon Video: https://youtu.be/L7uWEVN4nW0?si=suq8L-1J1ANHlg-n
