The following is from OBC’s daily devotional for today:
Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the apostle John (“the other disciple, whom Jesus loved”) discovered Jesus’ empty tomb, yet did not conclude that he rose from the dead but that his body had been taken away (vv. 1-10).
Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (vv. 11-18). The meaning of Jesus’ statement to her, “do not cling to me…,” v. 17) is that she should not permanently, never to let go of Jesus, as he would be with them for awhile (40 days) and then ascend to heaven.
Later in the same day Jesus appeared to the disciples, proving he had truly risen from the dead (vv. 19-23).
In verses 24-31, Thomas, one of Jesus’s twelve disciples, was not with them when Jesus appeared and so did not believe their testimony that he had risen from the dead. Jesus thus appeared and proved such to Thomas, and he rightly worshiped Jesus as the Lord God. not the connection of thought between verses 29 and 30-31.
Truths to Nail Down and Meditate On
- Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was in the same body he died in (v. 27). As he was without sin his body was not susceptible to the power or corrupting effects of sin (Acts 2:22-28). Because he rose from the dead he defeated sin and death, so that all who trust him will also be saved from sin’s power and effects.
- True apostles saw with their own eyes the resurrected Lord (1 Cor 9:1; 15:5-8). This is why Jesus appeared to Thomas. The NT limits the office of apostle to just these men listed in the NT. Those today called apostles are frauds and false apostles.
- Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the greatest miracle and must be believed—accepted, welcomed, and depended on as true—in order to have life (vv. 30-31). Any who call themselves Christians but do not believe Jesus is truly God in the flesh, the promised Messiah, and literally risen from the dead are still lost and without eternal life (Rom 10:9).
