Your Daily Devotional for May 31, 2007

 

May 31,  2007

 

 

Christ's Appearances

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen."

 

Mark 16:9-14

 

 

Over the past few days, we have focused on Jesus' resurrection. We have seen that Mary Magdalene stayed faithful to Jesus even during His death. We have also seen that we are forgiven because of His righteousness. And, yesterday, we saw the hope we can have because He is alive!

 

As we conclude our look at Christ's resurrection, notice what Jesus did after His resurrection. Jesus had already taught the people for several years and could have ascended directly back to Heaven, yet He spent time ministering before He left.

 

The first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary Magdalene. As we saw before, Mary remained faithful to Christ and followed Him even after His death. When Mary had come to His tomb and had heard the news of His resurrection, she wept, not believing this news.  Jesus appeared to her in a nearby garden and reassured her that there was hope because He was alive.

 

Another appearance Christ made after His resurrection was to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He walked with them to their house and fellowshipped with them. Only after He left did they realize that He was Jesus! He had been in their midst, and they had not even realized it!

 

Christ also appeared to the disciples when they were gathered together. After He had appeared to Mary, she went and told the disciples, but they did not believe her. When Christ appeared unto them, He rebuked them for not believing Mary, and He showed them His nail-scarred hands. Jesus gave them hope as He proved that He had risen!

 

Not only did Jesus appear to these people after His resurrection, but He appears to us today. He does not appear to us physically, but He shows Himself to us through His Word. Just as the disciples and Mary Magdalene gained hope from Christ's reassurance, we can gain hope today as we spend time in His Word.

 

Are you spending time each day in God's Word? Christ can give us hope each day through His Word! Spend time in His Word today. Let Him fill your heart with hope and joy as you seek to live for Him.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 13-14 • John 12:1-26

 

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Your Daily Devotional for May 30, 2007

 

May 30,  2007

 

 

He Is Alive

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

 

 

Mark 16:4-6

 

 

Over the past few days we have focused on the events that surrounded the death and burial of Jesus, but if He had only died and been buried, our faith would be no different than any other religion. Notice what happened on the morning of the third day Jesus had been in the tomb.

 

Mary Magdalene and some other women had come to Jesus' tomb to cover His body with incense. They were trying to figure out how they would remove the large stone from in front of the tomb as they approached it. When they came to the tomb, the stone had been rolled away, and an angel sat next to the tomb. While they were afraid, the angel told them not to be alarmed but to rejoice, because Jesus had risen from the dead!

 

These ladies had not known of Christ's resurrection. As they looked into the tomb, they saw that His burial clothes were still intact, yet He had risen! What a joyous time! These women were astonished and probably confused as the angel told them of the resurrection. They had expected to see Christ's lifeless body, yet they received news that He was alive.

 

These women had been living in despair, yet they now were told that Jesus had risen and there was hope! Many times we as Christians do not live as though Christ has risen. Sometimes our faith and hope can be so faint that some could question whether we truly believe that Christ is alive.

 

For many Christians, a time of trial or a difficult situation can cause them to lose hope. Their trust in God wanes and they no longer live with a love for Him. This should not happen to us. We must not let the devil rob us of our hope and joy. Christ is alive! Let us live each day with that fact in mind!

 

There is a place, not far from Lancaster, known as Death Valley. This valley is 276 feet below sea level and it is the hottest place in the Untied States. Several years ago, a strange weather pattern caused rain to fall on this parched area for nineteen days. Suddenly, millions of dormant seeds burst into bloom and the valley of death exploded into life.

 

When we live with the hope and joy that Christ is alive, our once "dead" lives will blossom into life and service for God! Are you living with the hope and joy that Christ is alive? Let your actions and countenance today show that Christ truly has risen and is alive!

 

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 10-12 • John 11:30-57

 

 

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Your Daily Devotional for May 29, 2007

 

May 29,  2007

 

 

Forgiven by His Righteousness

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre."

 

Mark 15:42-46

 

 

Yesterday, we saw that Mary Magdalene remained faithful to Jesus even during His trial, crucifixion, and death. Even when the disciples forsook Jesus and returned to their old ways of life, Mary remained faithful through it all.

 

In our verses today we see Joseph of Arimathaea. Joseph was a wealthy man who was saved earlier in Jesus' earthly ministry. Joseph wanted to preserve Christ's body and requested to bury it in his own tomb. Although Pilate was shocked, he allowed Joseph to dress and bury the body of Jesus.

 

Verse 46 says, "And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre." Joseph bought fine linen to wrap around Jesus' body. This linen was a picture of righteousness.

 

When we accept Jesus Christ and die to self, we are wrapped in His linen of righteousness. As we ask Him for forgiveness from our sins, we are declared righteous before God's throne. Christ's death and resurrection is a picture of forgiveness and righteousness.

 

Sometimes it is hard for us to comprehend God's forgiveness because our human forgiveness is temporal. When we ask God to forgive us, He never remembers our sins again! While many times we may struggle to "forgive and forget," God forgives us and declares us righteous.

 

A man who was telling his friend about an argument he had with his wife said, "Oh, how I hate it. Every time we have an argument, she gets historical." The friend replied, "You mean hysterical." "No," he insisted. "I mean historical. Every time we argue she drags up everything from the past and holds it against me!"

 

As humans it is easy to remember the faults of someone else, but because we have been forgiven and are clothed in God's righteousness, He never remembers our sins! We must strive to forgive others of their mistakes just as Jesus did. He even forgave those who had crucified Him!

 

Have you forgiven others for their mistakes? Forgive those who have wronged you even as God has forgiven you.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 7-9 • John 11:1-29

 

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Your Daily Devotional for May 28, 2007

 

May 28,  2007

 

 

Remaining Faithful

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

 

Mark 16:1-6

 

 

As the glorious dawn of the resurrection morning appeared, God's redemptive work was complete. What a wonderful moment! God's righteous demand of a payment for sin was fulfilled by His Son Jesus. But the truth is, the early Christians did not immediately celebrate this great victory.

 

Most of the followers of Christ were in a state of shock or denial. Peter had returned to his fishing nets, and many of the disciples had joined him. Someone may suggest that they should have been rejoicing, but if we were honest, most of us don't do much better when faced with discouraging situations. Do we immediately trust Christ and remain faithful to Him? Or do we worry and turn from Him?

 

Also, it's amazing to observe who remained faithful and committed to the cause of Christ when pressures mounted. The Bible records that there was one individual who was faithful through all the trauma—Mary Magdalene.

 

Although she was still a young Christian, Mary followed Christ and served Him until His death. Undoubtedly with a broken heart, she followed Him down the way of sorrow to Calvary. There she watched the crowd mock Him as we see in Mark 15:29, "And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days."

 

She also saw the sky grow dark at midday as God turned His back on our sins which were placed on Christ as we see in Mark 15:33-34, "And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

 

Even through all the pain, Mary remained faithful to Jesus and followed Him. She could have very easily been captured and punished for following Him, yet she loved Him enough to risk her life.

 

When difficult times enter your life do you turn to God like Mary Magdalene or from God like the disciples? Turn to Christ today and ask Him to help you as you seek to live for Him.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 4-6 • John 10:24-42

 

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