Dear Ones:
It is an amazing study to see how the Lord Jesus presents Himself, and what He says, to His disciples after his resurrection. We see them living in fear of the Jews, and in a stupor of bewilderment, not understanding what has just happened with regard to the crucifixion of Christ. For three days there seems to be no movement, no change, no “hope,” for there is no apparent answer to the situation. However, after three days, the movement begins. There is first the revelation of the angel(s) at the tomb to the two Marys, and His declaration concerning the resurrection of Christ, “…as He said.” Then there is the coming to the tomb of Peter and John. There is no body, only the grave clothes with the face cloth neatly folded and put in a corner for all to see and notice. This was certainly not the work of those who would steal His body away. Then there would be the manifestation of the Lord Jesus to the two disciples on the road to Emaeus, when, his true identity being veiled to their sight, explained to them from the whole of the Scriptures concerning the Christ. Their testimony of Him when He opened their eyes to see Who it was that was speaking to them, “…Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:32) And then, there was the personal revelations of Himself as He would appear in the presence of the disciples, with the doors closed. He would address their concerns of whether He was a spirit or not, by eating fish and honey. He would address Thomas personally concerning his own unbelief. By the seashore, He would address Peter concerning the question of loving Him, and this in the face of Peter’s denials. The point is this. Over and over, after the resurrection, Christ revealed Himself to the disciples, both men and women, so that they would BELIEVE.
If we were to consider the illustration of a tree, and the fruit on that tree, we would say that the existence, and sustenance of that tree begins, and has its essence in the “root” of that tree. The whole tree derives its life from the roots, and also, its stability. I believe that we can assuredly say that the root of all the evil and sin in this world is because of the root of unbelief…the refusal, for whatever reason, to trust wholly in God, in Christ. It is because of this that the Lord Jesus deals with the matter of faith in the lives of His disciples. He says to Thomas, “…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.” (Jn. 20:27) To the two disciples on the road to Emaeus, He would say, “…O fools (foolish ones), and SLOW OF HEART TO BELIEVE ALL THAT THE PROPHETS HAVE SPOKEN…” (Luke 24:25) There is no greater affront to God, and His character, than to not believe Him, to trust Him, to obey. Indeed, it is a very foolish matter to trust in men, and that which has its origin in men.
The imperative of faith is declared in Hebrews 11:6, “…But without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” James, a most practical disciple, wrote in regard to prayer, “…But let him ask in FAITH, nothing wavering (doubting), for he that waverth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (James 1:6)
So then today, let us not be “slow of heart to believe,” but on the contrary, rise up, and by the grace of God, lay hold on Christ, the absolutely faithful One. Let us not be faithless, but believing, KNOWING that to truly believe in Him is to believe that He IS, and that He is a REWARDER of those who diligently seek Him. He WILL answer the prayer of that one who prays in faith…for He giveth to ALL men liberally, and upbraideth not;…it shall be given him.
Love, Dad