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| PentecostalTheology.com
THE RESURRECTION SEQUEL ~ Ray E Horton
As we remember the resurrection of Jesus, there was much beauty to that day. He spoke Mary Magdalene’s name when she found Him missing in John 20:17, telling her, “I have not yet ascended to My Father,” then coming back later that evening to appear to all the disciples (vs.19). And more than in spirit, He appeared to them in a glorified body, like we will have some day. The doors were locked, yet He stood in their midst.
This is a new day of Awakening. “We have a role to play in the eternal story, and the time is now. Let us all put aside the love for the things of this world, for the time is short, and do that which we wanted to do when we experienced our first love – live for Him and His Kingdom, being available for Him to do as He desires through us.”
Yet, we know His glorified body was a real body and not just spirit. He told Thomas to touch His hands and side, and in Chapter 21, He ate fish with them at the Sea of Tiberias.
The King James version renders vs. 20: “When He had said this [Peace be to you], He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” They “were glad” – what an understatement. I’m sure it’s more like the NAS translation, “they rejoiced,” or the NIV, they “were overjoyed.”
Interestingly, Mary didn’t recognize Him in Ch. 20, thinking He was the gardener, until He spoke her name, and the disciples didn’t recognize Him in Ch. 21 until He told them to cast out their net and it was filled with a multitude of fish. Then in Luke 24, we see the two disciples that same day walking on the road to Emmaus, and Jesus walking and talking with him, but not recognizing him until later when He broke and blessed the bread with them.
“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight” (vs. 30-31). Then “He vanished” – glorified bodies can do that.
Since He wasn’t recognized at first, He must have looked differently in that glorified body. Will we look differently in our glorified bodies? Maybe it will be because the imperfections of this life will have been removed. It will be so exciting when our time comes. Meanwhile, “we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)
The book of John concludes: “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” Can you imagine? And then this verse tops it off: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12).
We are to finish the sequel
Thus, began the Resurrection Sequel. We see it in the book of Acts. But the church, for the most part then lost its way down through the centuries. But now, our eyes are being re-opened, and we are to help finish that sequel. So, since we are risen with Him, though not yet in glorified bodies, let us seek from the Holy Spirit the greater works that we are to do, and, since we are His “workmanship,” and created in Christ Jesus from the beginning for these good works (Eph 2:10), let us do them in the power of the Spirit.
He loved us so much. Since He has made the way, let us use the love that He has placed within us to do in faith (pleasing Him – Heb. 11:6) what He desires of us, bringing in the harvest of souls, and receiving the reward He so desires to give to those who seek Him. He did the hard part, bearing our sins and “justifying many.” And He will use us to spread the Word so that “He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11) for all who will receive Him.
And this is a new day – a Great Awakening, maybe the final one – is at hand. We have a role to play in the eternal story, and the time is now. Let us all put aside the love for the things of this world, for the time is short, and do that which we wanted to do when we experienced our first love – live for Him and His Kingdom, being available for Him to do as He desires through us.
