WHAT NEXT AFTER THE RESURRECTION (PART 3 OF 3)

18th APRIL 2023

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1.7)

As soon as Jesus revealed Himself to the Disciples at Emmaus, He disappeared from their presence. The Disciples immediately packed their baggage and returned to Jerusalem that same night to give testimony of the risen Lord to the rest of the Disciples. This is the beginning of the work of Grace in our life – understanding who Jesus really is, the reason for his coming, His death, His resurrection, and later in the scripture – His ascension. Have you truly encountered the risen Christ?

Unfortunately, many Christians are still on their way to Emmaus. Some are yet to recognize the Lord in their Christian journey! Whoever has personally experienced in his heart the power of Christ’s resurrection and comfort of redemption cannot help but testify to others about it. Are you ready to testify concerning the Master and Lord of the universe? Part of the work of grace in our lives is to testify about the life of Jesus Christ and what we stand to benefit from His resurrection. The benefits of the resurrection come freely to us when we can do as commanded by the Lord.  The Bible records as follows:

 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus specifically mandated the eleven Disciples who saw Him after the resurrection to preach the good news throughout the world. Three things were obvious in this Great Commission:

·        The Disciples were to preach and make Disciples of all Nations under the authority of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

·        The Disciples were to teach everything that Jesus had commanded them, also baptizing new Disciples in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

·        Jesus promised to be with them till the end of the age.

Note that when these Disciples encountered Jesus in Emmaus, their gloom, sadness, their doubt, and thoughts of unbelief were driven away. So, it is in the life of every Christian, it goes from sorrow to happiness, from weakness to strength, from doubt to faith, and then from faith to faith, from strength to strength, from joy to joy, from light to light, from certainty to certainty. This is the power of the grace which overwhelms us when our hearts are truly open to receive Jesus, His commandments and teachings.

The word of God today teaches us to open our hearts to receive His grace by believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior, then testify to everyone concerning Him. Remember, we cannot preach the risen Christ, except we have truly encountered Him. Therefore, let us pray today for the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ to us. Beloved, ask the Lord to take hold of your hearts that you may know Him and experience the power of His Grace. Grace opens the door to all things! AMEN.

PRAYER

 Lord Jesus Christ, I open my heart to receive thy Grace today. I believe your power is made perfect in weakness; therefore, I declare that your power now rests upon me. Lord, by thy power, I surmount my fears and my doubts. Lord, I decree my Faith is secured and enlarged to withstand every opposing power or force against thy knowledge, power, and Spirit. Today, I declare I am strong, healed and rich. AMEN.

 FURTHER READING: 1 Cor. 15:13-14