Author Archives: Ron

About Ron

Author of these articles has served in his church for 54 years, as a teacher for nearly 45 years, a deacon, treasurer, and leader of several groups. He has also sung as a bass in the choir for about 60 years. He became a Christian with a profession of faith at the age of 19. He is a veteran of 6 years years in the Air Force (4 on active duty). He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Quantitative Business Analysis. He has been writing articles and lessons for nearly 15 years. He is now a widower with 2 grown children and four grandchildren.

WHEN RACES COLLIDE

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This subject can be approached in many different ways and from a lot of perspectives. Way too many Americans pay lip service to the truth that we all are created equal. The reality is we see too many who do not always reflect that in our attitudes or relationships. Our fallen human nature seeks to make distinctions between races, but God makes no distinction. The fact is- there is only one way to bring all of us together. The answer is in the belief and surrender to Jesus as their Savior. Christ loves all equality, He died for all, and He works through all believers regardless of race. We are to follow the example of Christ and openly accept and embrace one other. The lesson in Ephesians focuses on the alienation that existed between Jews and Gentiles in the first century.

                        Read Ephesians 2:11-12

The animosity which existed between the Jews and Gentiles in the first century demonstrates that without Christ, our differences can divide us. Unfortunately, we see that animosity today between all factions: races, politics, uneducated, misinformed, religions and those who just want to not listen to try to understand people and opinions. While many of these issues were present in the first century, there were several differences. In order to see how much God has done for us, it is sometimes wise to remember what our condition was like before we were saved. The word remember is an active imperative in the Greek. In other words, it’s a command. We are commanded to remember our past, not to become guilty about it, but to remember how awful our former life was in comparison to what God has given us now.

Ephesians 2:11 is unique in the New Testament in that it is the only verse that tells us to remember our old way of life. In fact, in comparison with other passages like Philippians 3:13-14 which tells us to “forget what is behind” it seems to contradict. But when looked at carefully, both are really saying the same thing. We are not to remember so that we wallow in guilt and depression from past mistakes. Rather, we are to remember our past so that we can see what Christ has delivered us from.  Memory is a wonderful gift from God. We need to remember sin, and its effects in our lives so that we can work hard to avoid it in the future. We also need to remember the biblical stories and the times in the past when God has worked on behalf of His people. Christ tells us to take the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of what he has done for us. Remembering our sinful past is also a way to deepen our humility. Sometimes, we start to think that the way we are now is because of our own effort and ability. When we remember, as Paul commands us to do here, the way we were without the grace of God in our lives, it reminds us that the way we are now is due to God, and not our own effort or ability.

In Ephesians 2:11-12, Paul commands them to remember six things in regard to their human relationships before they were saved. The first of these six, as found in Ephesians 2:11, is that they were Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— Paul is talking here about the differences between the Jew and the Gentile. Prior to Abraham, there was no difference. But God, in choosing Abraham, created a difference. Now God created this difference so that His people could be a blessing to everyone else. The problem, however, was that many Jews saw this difference as a reason to boast and be proud and think that they were superior to the others.

But God did not choose Abraham so that the Jews would think they were superior to the Gentiles, but so that they might be a blessing and a help to the Gentiles. While some ask why we are made with differences- here seems to be the answer. God seems to indicate that we are different- but equal- so we can be a blessing to all.  And the aspect that Paul mentions here in Ephesians 2:11 about this difference between Jew and Gentile is circumcision. Since circumcision was the outward sign of the covenant with God, the Jews considered any uncircumcised male to be outside of God’s blessing and purpose. The Jews were proud of this outward sign of the covenant, and they despised anyone who was not circumcised.

In fact, “Jews said that the Gentiles were created by God to be fuel for the fires of Hell; that God loved only Israel of all the nations that he had made; that the best of the serpents crushed, the best of the Gentiles killed. “It was not lawful to render help to a Gentile woman in childbirth, for that would be to bring another Gentile into the world. The barrier between Jew and Gentile was absolute. If a Jew married a Gentile, the funeral for the Jew was carried out. Such contact with a Gentile was the equivalent of death; even to go into a Gentile house rendered a Jew unclean.”

 In Ephesians 2:11, Paul, although he was a Jew himself, mocks their arrogance by saying that the Jewish circumcision which they took so much pride in was nothing more than something done in the flesh by the hands of men. In Philippians 3:2, Paul calls them “mutilators of the flesh” and in Romans 2:29, he shows us that the real circumcision that God desires is not of the flesh by the hands of men, but of the heart, by the Holy Spirit. It is those who believe in Jesus alone and not in their own works of the flesh that are circumcised of the heart and not of the flesh. So, the first thing Paul wants them to remember is that they were Gentiles—despised by the Jews. They were without respect.

Ephesians 2:12 gives the next five things to remember about the way they used to be.  The second thing to remember is that at that time you were without Christ, What Paul means is pretty obvious. They did not have Christ. The Ephesians lived under the same problem that the rest of the world live under. They still, just like everyone else, lived under a system of rivalry, violence, scapegoating, blame, slander, accusation, and victimization. The Ephesians, for the most part, worshipped the goddess Diana, and before the coming of the Gospel, knew nothing of Jesus Christ. They were without Christ, and as such were under condemnation.  Paul tells us here that without Christ, they are lost. So, the Ephesians, before they were saved, were without respect, they were despised by the Jews, were without Christ, and the third thing, they were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.

The fourth item to remember is very similar. He says in Ephesians 2:12 that we need to remember how before we were saved, we were strangers from the covenants of promise. God never made any covenants with Gentile nations. Gentiles were included in the covenant with Abraham, and since Noah lived before Abraham, we could consider him as a Gentile, I suppose, but in broad terms, God did not make covenants with Gentile nations—only with the nation of Israel. Gentiles were considered strangers and aliens—and the Jews never let them forget it. Many of the Jewish Pharisees would pray daily, “O God, I give thanks that I am a Jew, not a Gentile.” Sounds like what we might hear today: “I am glad I am not like that person.’ Before they became Christians, then, they were without respect, without Christ, without citizenship, and without covenants.

Fifth, from Ephesians 2:12, they are to remember that before they became Christians, they were without hope. That describes the life of the unsaved person, doesn’t it? (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13). Today, depression is at an all-time high. People have no hope for the future. Hope is the profound blessing that gives meaning and security to life. “Living without hope of future joy and enrichment reduces man to a piece of meaningless protoplasm.” But Christians do have a hope for the future. And finally, we are to remember that we were without God in the world. And that final phrase, in the world, reminds us of Ephesians 2:2 showing us that it is not a good thing to be in the world.

So, the six things Paul lists here as descriptive of what the Ephesian Christians were like before they were saved are: without respect, without Christ, without citizenship, without covenants, without hope and without God. And all of these six things caused enmity and hatred and discord between Jews and Gentiles in those days.

                       Read Ephesians 2:13-18

We have already seen how the Jew hated and despised the Gentile. Now Paul uses two pictures, which would be specially vivid to a Jew, to show how that hatred is killed and a new unity has come.  He says that those who were far off have been brought near. Isaiah had heard God say: “Peace, peace to the far, and to the near” (Isaiah 57:19). When the Rabbis spoke about accepting a convert into Judaism, they said that he had been brought near. For instance, the Jewish Rabbinic writers tell how a Gentile woman came to Rabbi Eliezer. She confessed that she was a sinner and asked to be admitted to the Jewish faith. “Rabbi,” she said, “bring me near.” The Rabbi refused. The door was shut in her face; but now the door was open. Those who had been far from God were brought near, and the door was shut to no one.

It is not to be thought that the Jews were the only people who put up the barriers and shut people out. The ancient world was full of barriers. There was a time, more than four hundred years before this, when Greece was threatened with invasion by the Persians. It was the golden age of the city state. Greece was made up of famous cities–Athens, Thebes, Corinth and the rest and it very nearly encountered disaster because the cities refused to cooperate to meet the common threat. Cicero could write much later: “As the Greeks say, all men are divided into two classes–Greeks and barbarians.” The Greek called any man a barbarian who could not speak Greek; and they despised him and put up the barriers against him.

 Christ is our peace (v.14). It is in a common love of him that people come to love each other. That peace is won at the price of his blood, for the great awakener of love is the Cross. The sight of that Cross awakens in the hearts of men of all nations love for Christ, and only when they all love Christ will they love each other. It is not in treaties and leagues to produce peace. There can be peace only in Jesus Christ.

Verse 15 Paul deals with the commands. The only people who fully kept the Jewish law were the Pharisees and there were only six thousand of them, all of which could not be done on the Sabbath.  A religion based on all kinds of rules and regulations, about sacred rituals and sacrifices and days, can never be a universal religion. But, as Paul said elsewhere, “Christ is the end of the law” (Romans 10:4). Jesus ended legalism as a principle of religion. In its place he put love to God and love to men. Jesus came to tell men that they cannot earn God’s approbation by a keeping of the ceremonial law but must accept the forgiveness and fellowship which God in mercy freely offers them. A religion based on love can at once be a universal religion.

                         Here is the answer!!!

Paul goes on to tell of the priceless gifts which come with the new unity in Christ. He made both Jew and Gentile into one new man. The unity which Jesus achieves is not achieved by blotting out all racial characteristics; it is achieved by making all men of all nations into Christians. It may well be that we have something to learn here. The tendency has always been when we send missionaries abroad to produce people who wear English clothes and speak the English language. There are indeed some missionary churches who would have all their congregation worship with the one liturgy used in the churches at home. It is not Jesus’ purpose, however, that we should turn all men into one nation, but that there should be Christian Indians and Christian Africans whose unity lies in their Christianity. The oneness in Christ is in Christ and not in any external change. Paul reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God. The unity in Christ produces Christians whose Christianity transcends all their local and racial difference; it produces men who are friends with each other because they are friends with God; it produces men who are one because they meet in the presence of God to whom they all have access.

                      Read Ephesians 2:19-22

Paul uses two illuminating pictures. He says that the Gentiles are no longer foreigners but full members of the family of God. So, Paul says to the Gentiles: “You are no longer among God’s people on sufferance. You are full members of the family of God.” We may put this very simply; it is through Jesus that we are at home with God. If a person would feel shut out, and lonely in the dark- that should never happen in a church. Through Jesus there is a place for all men in the family of God. Men may put up their barriers; churches may keep their Communion tables for their own members. God never does; it is the tragedy of the Church that it is so often more exclusive than God.

The second picture Paul uses is that of a building. He thinks of every church as the part of a great building and of every Christian as a stone built into the Church. Of the whole Church the corner stone is Christ; and the corner stone is what holds everything together. Paul thinks of this building going on and on, with each part of the building being fitted into Christ. There are all kinds of architecture; but the building is a unity because through it all it has been used for the worship of God and for meeting with Jesus Christ. That is what the Church should be like. Its unity comes not from organization, or ritual, or liturgy; it comes from Christ. Where Christ is, there is the Church. The Church will realize her unity only when she realizes that she does not exist to propagate the point of view of any body of men, but to provide a home where the Spirit of Christ can dwell and where all men who love Christ can meet in that Spirit and are equal to bless others. Although we come from many backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and so forth, as believers in Jesus Christ we have equal standing before God and are brothers and sisters in Christ.

THE GIFT OF GRACE

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This is a promise from God- presented in this article- that we can embrace: “God’s grace allows me to face anything life throws at me.” God’s grace is always there but we become more acutely aware of it in our time of need. Our lives are filled with both joys and sorrows- sometimes the sorrows overwhelm us. Opportunities we embrace and difficulties we’d rather avoid can often come without warning. We don’t question God’s presence in the good times, although we might when life gets hard. God is with us through it all: good and bad. We are no less in God’s hands or useful as His instrument when we face challenges. It is often when we are at the end our rope that we are in a position to understand and experience God’s grace. God’s grace is always with us.

                               Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-7a

Verse 1 (not read) tells of Paul’s boasting that extended to spiritual experience. The Corinthians may have felt that a spiritual leader should be able to point to unusual visions and mystical experience as qualifications. The false apostles may have claimed such experience themselves. In any case, Paul let them know that he had experienced such a vision but he made it clear that this was not the key to his effectiveness as a minister. He referred to himself simply as “a man in Christ” to soften the element of boasting and to show how different the experience was from his usual experience. The incident had occurred fourteen years before, around AD 41. Paul had probably been a Christian for about seven years at the time. It must have been a crucial point in his life.

          Paul continued his “boasting” by telling about visions and revelations he had received from the Lord (vv.2-3). Paul explained that he didn’t know if he was taken up in his body or in his spirit but he had been in paradise (“The Third Heaven”, perhaps referring to the highest part of heaven, beyond the atmosphere and the stars, where God Himself lives). This incident cannot be positively identified with a recorded event in Paul’s career, although some think this may have been when he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19-20). Paul told about that he had been uniquely touched by God.

          Paul was very reserved about the details of his experience. This was in line with the whole emphasis of the Bible, which avoids giving a lot of details about heaven and the spiritual order. He continued to speak of his experience as though it had happened to someone else. Concerning himself, he would only speak of his weaknesses, for it was there that he felt the real point of his ministry was to be found. He would not carry his boasting game to the point of boasting about his private spiritual experience in his life. He also knew that he was called to preach Christ and speak on visions. Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to respect and follow his teachings and guidance because of what they had seen in his life- not to confuse him as a false teacher due to any “extraordinary revelations”.

                             Read 2 Corinthians 12:7b-8

There was a danger that such subline spiritual experience would go to Paul’s head. But God was at work om Paul’s life to prevent that. He was given a “thorn in the flesh” which served as “a messenger of Satan” to prevent any unreal spiritual elation. We do not know the exact nature of this thorn. Some speculate that it may have been metal and spiritual anguish arising from his hardships or his grief over having persecuted the church in the past. They point to the fact that the words could be translated “for the flesh”, and Paul uses flesh for human nature in general. But most interpreters take the phrase more naturally and literally and conclude Paul meant a physical ailment. The guesses include epilepsy, malaria (because it was common in the regions where he traveled), and eye trouble (because Paul wrote with large letters in Galatians 6:11). Whatever the thorn was, the lesson Paul learned is clear. He asked God to remove it, but God did not. He wanted Paul to depend on His grace, not on Paul’s own strength. He could affirm his disabilities because they were channels of God’s power.

           Three times Paul prayed for healing and did not receive it. He received, however, things far greater because he received greater grace from God: a stronger character, humility, and an ability to empathize with others. In addition, it benefited those around him as they saw God at work in his life. God, according to his sovereign plan, doesn’t heal some believers of their physical ailments. We don’t know why some are spared and others are not. God choses according to His divine purposes. Our task is to pray, to believe, and to trust. Paul is living  proof that holy living and courageous faith do not ensure instant physical healing. When we pray for healing, we must trust our bodies to God’s care. We must recognize that nothing separates us from His love (Romans 8:35-39) and that our spiritual condition is always more important than our physical condition.

        Think about what has helped you discover that God’s grace is sufficient for you to endure anything!

                                 Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Although God did not remove Paul’s affliction, He promised to demonstrate His power in Paul. The fact that God’s power is displayed in the times of our weaknesses should give us courage and hope. As we recognize our limitations, we will depend more on God for our effectiveness rather than on our energy, effort, or talent. Our limitations not only help develop Christian character but also deepen our worship, because in admitting them, we affirm God’s strength.

          When we are strong in abilities or resources, we are tempted to do God’s work on our own, and that can lead to pride. When we are weak, allowing God to fill us with His power, then we are stronger than we could ever be on our own. God does not intend for us to be weak, passive, or ineffective- life provides enough hindrances and setbacks without us creating them. When those obstacles come we must depend on God. Only His power will make us effective for Him and will help us do work that has lasting value.

         Only when we lean on God in the difficult times, listen for his voice, and allow His grace to work through our weakness can we experience Him on a deeper level and bring glory to Him as He works in and through us. Grace from God is a gift we don’t deserve but God gives it no matter.     

CELEBRATING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

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LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING GOD

Ps. 63:1; Rev. 22:4; 1 Tim. 6:16; Heb. 10:19; Ps. 27:4; John 14:9; Matt. 5:8; 1 John 3:2

We first needed to establish a clear picture of our physical, resurrected life on the New Earth. Having done that (although more to come) we must look forward to the time when we will see God. We now need to approach the topic of our eternal relationship with God with the riches and vitality it deserves. Psalm 63:1 says that God is the one we really long for: “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water”. This is stating that God’s presence brings satisfaction; His absence brings thirst and longing. Being with God is the heart and soul of Heaven.

       We are told in Revelation 22:4 that “They will see His face”. To see God’s face is the loftiest of all aspirations- though sadly, for most of us, it’s not at the top of our wish list. To be told we’ll see God’s face likely will be shocking to many, given what we see in the Old Testament.  When Moses said to God, “Show me Your glory,” God responded, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you…But, you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live…When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove My hand and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen” (Exodus 33:18-23).

       The New Testament says that God “lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16). So, to see God’s face was utterly unthinkable. However, the wonder of our redemption- to be welcomed into the very presence of our Lord and to see Him face-to-face. We are given a foretaste now in Hebrew 10:19; “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus”.

        Let’s read Ps. 27:4; John 14:9; Matt. 5:8; and 1John 3:2

     2.God Dwelling With Us

Lev. 26:11-12; Ez. 37:27; 2 Cor. 6:16; Ep. 1:10; Rev. 21:3-4; John 14:3; John 17:24; Rev. 1:7; Gen. 1:26; Heb. 9:14; Isa. 25:6; Ep. 2:6

 In Eden, God came down to Earth, the home of mankind, whenever He wished (Genesis 3:8). On the New Earth, God and mankind will be able to come to each other whenever they wish. We will not have to leave home to visit God, nor will God leave home to visit us. God declares His truth in the following three Scriptures: Lev. 26:11-12; Ez. 37:27; 2 Cor. 6:16. Read these for an understanding that God and mankind will live together forever in the same home- The New Earth. The marriage of the God of Heaven with the people of Earth, will also bring the marriage of Heaven and Earth. There will not be two universes- one the primary home of God and the angels, the other the primary home of humanity. Nothing will separate us from God, and nothing will separate Earth and Heaven. This is really made clear in Ephesians 1:10- “To bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ”.

       Revelation 21:3- “God Himself will be with them”. This emphatically said “God Himself” because God won’t merely send us a delegate, it will be Him-“Himself”. He will actually come to live among us on the New Earth. God’s glory will fill and permeate the entire new Heaven, not just one centralized place. God’s glory will be the air we breathe, and we’ll always breathe deeper to gain more of it.

        John 14:3 – Says Jesus will return to take us with Him to be where He will be.

        John 17:24- Jesus says: “Father, I want those you have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world”.

        Revelation 1:7: Consider the promise that when Jesus returns “every eye will see   Him”. Think about how that will happen!

        Let’s read Gen. 1:26; Heb. 9:14; Isa. 25:6.

“God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” – Ephesians 2:6.

  • How Will We Worship God?

Matt.16:25; Rev. 7:9-12; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; Rev. 5:11-14; Ps. 16:6; Heb. 10:25; John 4:23; Matt. 6:6; Ps. 52:9; Ps. 115:18

Have you ever- in prayer or in worship at our church or during a walk or while sitting on your porch- for a few moments experienced the very presence of God? If you have, it was a great experience, but it soon disappeared in the distractions of life. What will it be like to behold God’s face and never be distracted by lesser things? Over-whelmed by God’s magnificence, we fall on our faces in unrestrained happiness and say, “Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” (Revelation 7:9-12). In Revelation 5:13-14 we are told that every nation, tribe, and people, and language will gather to sing praise to God for His greatness, wisdom, power, grace, and mighty work of redemption. In the previous section, we reviewed Revelation 21:3 that told us that God will be with us. That should excite us. If it doesn’t, we are not thinking correctly.

        It should be obvious that Revelation would be filled with Scriptures about God and our worship, but there are many others that give us clear and perceived (read between the lines) thoughts on how and when we will worship God.

      1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – God expects us to do other things as ways to worship and glorify Him; such as work, rest, and be with our families and Christian friends to show that we are to be joyful, pray, and give thanks while doing other things.

      John 4:23 – Tells us that God seeks worshipers, but it is not compulsory.

      Matthew 16:25 – Says we will not lose our identity when we see Him: “Whoever loses his life for me will find it”.

       Hebrews 10:25 – States it is unbiblical to imagine that we can successfully seek God on our own.

       Psalm 16:6 – God is our inheritance, but so is Heaven.

       Psalm 115:18 – “But we will bless the Lord from time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!

       Psalm 52:9 – “I will praise You forever.”

  • Worship Services in Heaven

Rev. 4-5; Rev. 1:12-14; Ps.119:89; Rev. 5:11, 13; Rev: 7:12; Col. 3:1-4; 1 John 2:15-17; Rev. 19:6; Rev. 1:6; Ps. 89:1; Ps. 72:19; Ps. 113:2

It is important to note that in Revelation 4-5 there is no one in these passages that are under compulsion to worship God. No one is just standing there, demanding veneration. The whole heaven is rejoicing voluntarily and from the heart. Those whose praises fill the heaven know that Jesus Christ is exalted. He is all in all, and heaven’s in habitants never tire of worshipping Him.  Neither will we. Praising Him will never become boring. If that is true (and it is), don’t we think we should begin now?

      Imagine, moving from earthly worship to heavenly worship without skipping a beat. That is what happened to apostle John, but in Revelation 1:10-11, he wrote, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, The First and the Last…”. Then in Revelation 1:12-14, John turned to see who was speaking, and he said, “I saw seven golden lampstands and in the midst of seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, a white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire”.

       Let’s read four other passages in Revelation: 1:6; 5:11, 13; 7:12; and 19:6.

       In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul says that in worship, wisdom keeps us from the ups and downs of the rollercoaster experiences of life. (Paul road the rollercoaster after getting off of his moped.) Let’s read these 4 verses.

       To close out this section, there are 4 passages in Psalms that “sing of the mercies of the Lord forever”; “bless His glorious name forever”; “bless the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore” and 119:89, “Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven”. But we will not have to exhort anyone to trust it or obey it, for we will be living in a state of perfect spirituality, for everyone will be saved and forever safe.

REWARDS IN HEAVEN

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  1. Scriptural Rewards – Ruth 2:12; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Psalm 58:11; Jer. 31:16; Matt. 5:11-12; Matt. 16:27; Mark 9:41; Col. 2:18; Rev. 22:12; Romans 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:13-14

When will heavenly rewards be distributed? Will there be some kind of “award ceremony”? Will we be given an “Oscar”? I hope not! “How does Hollywood get anything done? Every single week, it seems, the folks there put on another awards show to congratulate themselves and hand out statues to each other; and sometimes they use the occasions to lecture the rest of us on their viewpoint about politics or their morality.” (This last sentence and the question just before it was written by Dr. David Jeremiah in his book published in early 2017). He sure knew what would continue to happen with this Hollywood crowd. As you probably have heard, this year’s Oscar Awards Show was the least watched ever. There are no award shows for firefighters, medical professionals, police officers, or homemakers. We will not be given an awards ceremony either, but the Bible tells us what we can expect from God.

       The Bible tells us that one day, after all believers are removed from the earth at the Rapture, individual believers are going to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat, where the Lord is going to judge us for our conduct and work as believers. “So, then each of us (believers) shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

       “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward” (1 Corinthians 3:13-14). On that day we will be given rewards for what we have done as believers between the moment of our salvation and the day we ultimately stand before Him.

        As we look at this sample of verses, we will likely be surprised how often the Bible speaks of eternal rewards.

          Ruth 2:12- “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

           2 Chronicles 15:7- “But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewards!”

          Psalm 58:11- “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.”

          Jeremiah 31:16- “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord.”

          Matthew 5:11-12- “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

           Matthew 16:27- “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his work.” (Another Angels’ reference).

           Mark 9:41- “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

            Colossians 2:18- “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

            Revelation 22:12- “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.”

                           THE DESCRIPTION OF HEAVENS’ REWARDS

What will these rewards be like? At least five of these rewards are listed for us, and the New Testament uses the word “crowns” to describe them.

  • Victor’s Crown—1 Cor. 9:25-27; Titus 2:11-13

First, there is the Victor’s Crown, portrayed for us in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. Let’s read this Scripture. Paul wrote this passage to the Corinthians in the Greek city of Corinth, who were very familiar with two great athletic festivals that occurred near them- the Olympic Games and the Isthmian Games. The Isthmian Games actually were held at Corinth and many of Paul’s readers would have attended these games. The race was always a major attraction at the games, and that is the analogy Paul uses to illustrate the faithful Christian life. The thought, of course, has to do with developing personal discipline. Sometimes we have to turn off the television so we can study the Bible. Sometimes we have to leave our concerns and fears at home and witness for God. The Lord will help us but we have to do our part. The Victor’s Crown is waiting on us.

        It is important to remember that self-control depends on Spirit-control. Our own determination needs strengthened by grace, so we have to depend on God to provide that strength to give us the revolutions to live disciplined lives.  Read Titus 2:11-13.

  • Crown of Rejoicing – 1 Thess. 2:19; 1 Cor. 3:6

The second is the Crown of Rejoicing, mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:19. This is the crown given for playing a part in leading others to Christ. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? It is not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.” The background for this passage is Acts 17, which tells the story of Paul and his companions arriving in the city of Thessalonica. Paul went into the synagogue “and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” (verses 2-3). Then later Paul wrote this 1 Thessalonians passage where he said they would be his “crown of rejoicing”.

       Paul planted the seed of the Gospel in their hearts. Then he wrote “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6). This is sometimes called the

Soul Winner’s Crown. Paul was trying to encourage those to whom he preached that soul winning was a team effort- by planting seeds.

  • Crown of Righteousness – 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Cor. 7:29

Next comes the Crown of Righteousness, which is described in 2 Timothy 4:8. “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” The book of 2 Timothy represents the last knowing writing of the apostle Paul, and we have reason to believe he was beheaded shortly after writing these words. There are thoughts that Paul knew it was coming, but he was looking forward to the Second Coming. He was ready to meet Christ and content with his record of service for the Master. The Crown of Righteousness is reserved for those who have a longing for the Lord Jesus and who watch for Jesus to come back. Psychologists tell us that anticipation, which is the opposite of surprise, is an emotion with marvelous healing powers. (There was a very popular song in the early 70’s that we may want to sing- “Anticipation” by Carly Simon.)

          Jesus is coming back, coming any minute, coming soon, maybe today (Rapture). The

Bible says that time is short, and we must work for the night is coming. The more vividly aware we are of His impending return, the more we’ll be motivated in our work for Him in these last days. Think about all the joys that await us when Jesus returns. That should increase our anticipation. Read 1 Corinthians 7:29.

  • Crown of Life – James 1:12; Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:12

The fourth crown is called the Crown of Life, and two different verses describe it for us.

       James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him”.

       Revelation 2:10: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

          The Crown of Life is given in recognition of enduring and triumphing over temptations and trials, even to the point of martyrdom. Motivated by our love for Christ, we preserve and never quit until He takes us home. The New Testament Christians lived in days of intense persecution, and almost every New Testament book was written to believers who lived in danger of martyrdom. The apostles counseled them to persevere so they could inherit the Crown of Life.

          There are three countries where religious discrimination and persecution have a certain threshold of concern today. Those countries are Mexico, Russia, and the United States, according to the International Christian Concern. They are further quoted- “While conditions in the U.S. are in no way comparable to other countries, a certain segment of the culture and the courts seem to be intent on driving faith out of the public squares”. We, as Christians, must stand up for God’s principles and not support those who are against His Commandments and principles for moral living. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that we will be persecuted if we desire to live godly in Christ Jesus. But that gives us a wonderful opportunity to lay claim to the Crown of Life.

  • Crown of Glory – 1 Peter 5:1-4

The final reward in the lineup is the Crown of Glory, Peter wrote, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” ( 1 Peter 5:1-4). Elsewhere in the Scripture an “elder” is the same as a pastor. In Paul’s day there were no position that was called “pastor”. So, an elder was a leader in the church of Paul’s day.

          Therefore, this crown seems especially designed for Christian leaders and for those who are faithful shepherds of the people of God. We don’t have to be an official pastor on the staff of a church to be a leader that would be in line for this Crown of Glory. You might be the shepherd of a small group. Your flock might be your family, your children, grandchildren, or another family member for whom you are caring. The Lord often gives us responsibility for the spiritual or health well-being and nurturing of others, and what an opportunity to serve Him!

  • Greatest Reward of All – Gen. 15:1; Rev. 4:10-11

These may not be all the crowns awarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Perhaps there are thousands of other categories that will be revealed on that day. Here is one overriding thought- as wonderful as our rewards are, they truly don’t represent our core motivation. If we serve the Lord only to get a reward, it indicates we don’t truly understand Christianity. None of these crowns really represent our greatest reward. None of them can compare to our best, highest and greatest reward of all: Jesus our Savior!!! The Lord Himself is our exceedingly great reward.

           Remember what the Lord told Abraham in Genesis 15:1: “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward”. The Lord had planned many blessings for Abraham, which He outlined in Genesis 12 and 15. He promised to bless him, to make of him a great nation, to give him a great land, to give him many descendants, to bless those who blessed him and curse those who cursed him, and to make his name great. But nothing compared to the blessing of personally knowing the God of all eternity. The Lord Himself exceeds all other gifts.

           What are we going to do with these crowns? Let’s say we get to heaven, stand before the judgment Seat of Christ, and receive three different crowns for our faithful service on earth. What are going to do with them? The answer is in Revelation 4:10-11, which describe the great heavenly worship service that will occur when the rapture and resurrected saint arrive in heaven. Let’s read Revelation 4:10-11. This says we will “cast our crowns before the throne”. Thank You for letting me be Your servant. We don’t have much to give You, Lord, but here is my crown. What a joy to one day cast all our crowns at Jesus feet. 

WHY DID JESUS COME?

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Today we can find some type of solution for most things. Thanks to the internet, we have easy access for finding solutions and fixing problems. Many of us tend to use online access for information for recreation (concert schedules), store locations for shopping or eating, health information, and Bible commentaries. But how do we fix our greatest problem: a broken relationship with God because of sin? Throughout time, countless people and religious creeds have offered a host of ways to fix our sin problem, but only one solution exists. Only Jesus can remove our sin, and thankfully, He has made it possible for us to be forgiven and freed from sin. Jesus came to remove our sin. Ask God to open our eyes to why Jesus came, to offer salvation and hope for the problem of sin.

                                   Read Luke 1:68-71

There are two stories going on here (Luke 1:5-25). There is the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a childless couple in their later years, and God gives them a child. The personal story involves promises. Verse 13 the angel delivers God’s promise of a son, and the drama is that Zechariah doesn’t believe Gabriel’s words. He doesn’t take the LORD at his word. That’s unbelief. Faith is: “you say it, I’ll believe it and live as if it’s true.” God makes a promise and keeps his promise. We have to read the rest of the chapter to see that happen. That’s the personal story.

      There is a bigger story of which they are one chapter. The story that began when God made the world, the story of God saving a people for himself. There are lots of little clues here to show that this story of a small family is big part of that greater story. Let me list you some of the clues that connect Zechariah and Elizabeth to the rest of the Bible.

       One obvious one is linking Zechariah and Elizabeth to Abijah and Aaron. They are part of a wider family and nation. Elizabeth says that her pregnancy has taken away her disgrace, echoes Jacob’s wife Rachel (in Genesis) when the birth of Joseph takes away her disgrace. The angel appearing to announce a birth reminds us when an angel appeared to predict the birth of Samson. Samson, like John the Baptist, was not allowed to drink wine and was filled with the Spirit. Verse 17 “He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children” is a quote from the prophet Malachi. The point is: this is the next chapter in the big story. Since the last prophet in the Old Testament there has been some 400 years of silence. God has been missing (it seems) for 400 years. Imagine that. You’re God’s people but the last time God spoke was in the year 1618. That’s a long time ago! What about God’s great promises to drive out evil? What about his plan to bring blessing to the world? Everything seemed to have stopped. But now God is back in action. The appearance of the angel to Zechariah tells us that God’s promise-plan is now full-steam ahead.

    God has made a promise that one day he will come and redecorate the whole universe.

Isaiah 25 gives us a picture of that day. Jesus Christ will return. Sadness and sorrow, tears and turmoil – these will be driven out. No more death. No more evil. No more injustice. This is the world that God promises. Many ask the questions: can you trust him? Is it a hollow promise or can you take him at his word? Yes. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story shows God keeping his promises. The whole Bible shows God making promises and fulfilling them. So, we can trust him about the promise of a better world when Jesus returns. In this passage, we see promises being fulfilled. We also see a pattern of that better world. A pattern of our future. Zechariah and Elizabeth show us promises being fulfilled. God’s promise of a new world is certain. These are also a pattern of our future. Elizabeth’s disgrace was taken away. When Jesus returns, our disgrace will be taken away. Permanently!! Together with all of God’s people we will shine with everlasting glory and favor.

      Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah’s song begins with words of praise from the psalms (“Blessed be the Lord,” Psalms 41:14; 72:18; 106:48). It continues by pointing backward, to God’s long-established covenant with God’s people. This is the “Lord God of Israel” (Luke 1:68), who has raised up a savior “in the house of his servant David” (1:69).  Zechariah praised God with his first words after months of silence.  This song is often called the Benediction after the first words in the Latin translation of this passage. Zechariah prophesied the coming of a Savior who would redeem his people and predicted that his son, John the Baptist, would prepare the Messiah’s way. All the Old Testament prophecies were coming true- no wonder Zechariah praised God. The Messiah would come in Zechariah’s lifetime, and his son had been chosen to pave the way. Salvation is a recurring theme throughout the Book of Luke. The terms “salvation”, “Savior”, and “saved” are found more often in this Gospel than in any other.

                           Read Luke 1:72-75

This was God’s promise to Abraham to bless all people through him (Genesis 12:3). It would be fulfilled through the Messiah, Abraham’s descendant. To perform this mercy (dealt mercifully with our fathers v. 72) promised to our fathers: by “mercy” is meant salvation by Christ, which springs from the mercy of God; the promise of which was an instance of mercy to the Jewish fathers under the Old Testament, and also the performance of it; for they were saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus, even as we: his blood was shed for the remission of sins that were past, and for the redemption of transgressions under the first Testament: and to remember his holy covenant; which was made between him, and his Son from all eternity; and was, at various times, dispensed and manifested to the patriarchs, and eminent saints, as Adam, Noah, Abraham, &c. This is called a “holy” one; not only because it was made by, and between holy persons, and provided for the of the people of God, both here, and hereafter; but because in the article of redemption and salvation by Christ, which is here more particularly regarded, care was taken to secure the glory of God’s holiness and justice, as well as to display his grace and mercy. Now raising up, and sending Jesus a Savior, showed, that God was mindful of this covenant, and therefore sent redemption to his people.

       True service to God is rendered “in holiness and righteousness” (v.75). The Greek word for “holiness” is used only one other time in the New Testament (Eph. 4:24) where is translated “purity”. The word emphasizes piety or devotion in a person’ actions toward God, carefully doing what God expects and has commanded. It reflects integrity both inside and outside- a new lifestyle (outward) that is a reflection of a new heart (inward). Holiness also carries the meaning of being separated from the world for devotion or service to God. Those redeemed in the Messiah by faith receive Christ’s righteousness as a free gift (Rom. 4:22-24; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9) and reflect righteousness in how they live (Eph. 4:24). This can happen because we live in God’s presence- or to put it another way, because His Spirit lives in us (Rom. 8; Gal. 5:16-25).

                                    Read Luke 1:76:79

       No salvation is possible without forgiveness. Our Father cannot forgive our sins on the grounds of justice, and therefore He does so through His tender mercy. He has made Himself our God by giving us grace—undeserved favor. He passes by the transgressions of His people because He delights in mercy. He is so full of pity that He delays to condemn us in our guilt, but looks with loving concern upon us to see how He can turn away His wrath and restore us to favor.Micah 7:18 adds, “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.” God is love, and love is kind, but perhaps our approach to His forgiveness has been prosaically legal. The Scriptures reveal that God does kindness with intensity of will and readiness of mind. He forgives with all His heart because He delights in mercy! He says, “I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies.” God’s nature works to give mercy, not punish; to create beauty, not destroy; to save, not lose.

         Zechariah had just recalled hundred of years of God’s sovereign work (v. 76). Then, in tender contrast, he personalized the story. His son had been chosen for a key role in the drama of the ages. Although God has unlimited power, he chooses to work through trial humans who begin as helpless babes. Don’t minimize what God can do through those who are faithful to him. John would not be a priest. Instead, he would be called a prophet!

          One other phrase in Luke 1:78 shows the kind and tender nature of our God: “He visited us.” God did not merely pity us from a distance, nor did He allow His compassion for us to remain as an unresolved, inactive feeling. David writes in Psalm 8:4, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” But God did just that! Verse 79 expresses what the coming of Jesus Christ meant to the ancient world. The surviving records of that day show that the people dwelt “in the darkness and in the shadow of death”. Christ’s coming was a light piercing that darkness.

      The analogy likely was intended to include Gentiles as well as Jews. The universal note in Luke and Acts becomes clear later on. Luke probably saw this idea implicitly in the description of a new day spreading its light over a world where people cowered in the fear of pagan superstition, in the darkness of sin, and under the hopeless, relentless shadow of death. The coming Messiah would break through the darkness and call people out of the shadow of death, offering freedom, hope, and life for those who by faith put their trust in Jesus. Zechariah noted the Messiah’s light would also” guide our feet into the way of peace”. This was made possible by Jesus the Messiah, the Prince of peace who promised His peace to all who through repentance and faith in Him experience the redemption He brings from sin (John 14:27).

YOU WILL NEVER DIE

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Everyone wants to live longer, and many scientists are convinced that science holds secrets, we can unlock that will move our lifespan well beyond 120 years. In Genesis, God tells us human life can be expected to be 120 years (Gen. 11:10-24), which is a significant reduction from the oldest man, Methuselah- 969 years. Of course, most scientists don’t check with the Bible. Whatever the lifespan turns out to be, even with medical breakthroughs, we will still die- unless Rapture occurs. Jesus said something that is difficult for those driven solely by the natural world to accept; we can live forever. That possibility has nothing to do with science or healthy living. Eternal life is possible because Jesus died and rose again. This is why today is so important and why we celebrate Easter. The resurrection of Jesus makes our own resurrection possible.

                         Read John 11:25-27

Here is clear and concise language which simply states that Jesus Christ is the only, ‘I am the,’ way of salvation. What is salvation? It is deliverance from a certain eternal death and total separation from God for all of eternity. ‘I am the.’ This means that there is only one means of being saved. He did not say, ‘I am ‘one of’ the ways,’ which would open the door for alternative paths to heaven. He said, ‘I am ‘the’ way.’ Emphasis on ‘I.’ And ‘the’ which refer to Christ alone and to only one means of salvation.
‘I (Jesus Christ) am the resurrection (a total overhaul of the physical body into a resurrection body) and the life.’ Resurrection will come to all who have died prior to this event, and to all who remain alive when this event (resurrection) occurs.
          There will be a generation who will be alive when the Rapture occurs. That is the resurrection of the Church Age. There will not be a generation, which will be the recipients of a living resurrection, when the Old Testament believers are resurrected at the end of the Tribulation. Those who remain alive on earth at that time, will continue living into the Millennium. Then at the end of the Millennium the last of all those who remain alive (which should be almost everyone) will be resurrected into resurrection bodies for entrance into eternity. This resurrection is distinguished from the resurrection of unbelievers. This is the resurrection ‘and the life.’ Life belongs to God and all who choose for God through Christ. Those who choose against God and His plan with Jesus Christ as the principle instrument of salvation, will be resurrected unto death. They will be resurrected for the purpose of receiving their wish of total separation from God. Unbelievers reject God, so God will grant them their wish and give them their separation. That will not be what they want or expect, but then they all had their chance to believe God when He tells them that the Lake of Fire is not a good destination for any traveler. But then that is exactly what stubborn attitudes get. They reject the truth, and force something worse onto themselves.
        How Does anyone get this resurrection and life? By believing in Christ. Such a simple price. A mere thought. ‘Father (God) I believe in Jesus Christ.’ Now just how difficult can that thought be. Yet there will be millions who will refuse, all during their life, for years and years, to have that simple thought run through their heads. This promise is open to everyone. Anyone who has ever lived has an opportunity to believe in the Son of God. The only Son. There is only one Son. There are no other substitutes. No other prophets. No other persons, or things by which we can pray to, or believe in, and receive salvation from God. He set up a very simple plan for the salvation of mankind, and if you look all around us then you’ll see millions going through elaborate schemes of alternative methods of attempting to get into heaven. Why would anyone try to redefine such a simple entrance ticket? ‘Father, I believe in Christ.’
       Now of course we all live in this devil’s world. We have to go to school, learn to read and write. We have to get a job and earn some income, and so forth, but …. That is our second and temporary job for this world. Our primary obligation is spiritual growth. We do not have to study 24 hours a day. We don’t have to pray 24 hours a day. But we have an obligation to think 24 hours a day, at least when we are awake. Just as unbelievers make their fatal mistake and lose everything by rejecting God, and they make their decisions based on false information and beliefs, so too, believers make their fatal decisions in life by not sticking with a daily Bible study plan for their own life. Furthermore, believers who do some study, still have the hurdles of believing what they learn, and still more believers have difficulty in applying what they learn to their lives. This last part seems to be the most difficult step in the spiritual life. We all have our comfort zones, but they are generally based on a foundation laid out by our sin natures. We have our certain compromises we feel are right for our life.

       But despite all of this, the spiritual life remains very simple, and is elusive only to those who maintain a defiant attitude toward their daily study. The question which Jesus asked applies, ‘ Do you believe this?’ And our answer to it is ‘Yes,’ then we ask why do you not get with a solid daily Bible study? And if your answer is ‘No,’ then we ask, what do you have that is better?

                         Read John 20:24-25

We move to one of the times Jesus appeared after His resurrection. John writes about those telling Thomas that they have seen Him and He has risen. The person here spoken of, is described by his Hebrew name Thomas, and his Greek one Didymus, which both signify a twin; and perhaps he was one. It was common with the Jews to have two names, a Jewish and a Gentile one; by the one they went in the land of Israel, and by the other when without the land; nay, they often went by one name in Judea, and by another in Galilee; where Thomas might go by the name of Didymus with the Greeks, that might live with the Jews in some of those parts: he is also said to be “one of the twelve” apostles, which was their number at first, though Judas now was gone off from them, and therefore are sometimes only called the “eleven”; but this having been their complement, it is still retained; but what is observed of him to his disadvantage and discredit is, that he was not with them when Jesus came. He either had not returned to the rest after their scattering one from another upon the apprehending of Christ; or did not choose to assemble with the rest, for fear of the Jews; or was taken up with some business and affair of life; however, he was not with the rest of the disciples, when they were assembled together, and Jesus appeared among them: as it is of good consequence to attend the assemblies of Christ’s disciples and followers, so it is of bad consequence to neglect or forsake them: it is frequently to good purpose that persons attend them; here God comes and blesses his people, Jesus grants his presence, the graces of the Spirit are increased, and drawn forth into exercise; souls that have lost sight of Christ find him, disconsolate ones are comforted, weak ones strengthened, and hungry ones fed: on the other hand, not to attend is of bad consequence; neglect of assembling together exposes to many snares and temptations; brings on a spiritual leanness; leads to an indifference and lukewarm: issues in a low degree of grace, and a non-exercise of it, and in a loss of Christ’s presence.

       The other disciples therefore said to Thomas that they had seen the Lord.
Some time in the same week, as they had opportunity of seeing him, with great joy, and full assurance of faith in Christ’s resurrection. They had not only the testimony of the women, and the declaration of the angels, but they saw him with their own eyes, and beheld even the very prints of the nails in his hands and feet, and of the spear in his side. Therefore, they could not be mistaken that a spiritual sight of Christ is a blessing often enjoyed by attending the assembly of the saints to see Christ, is the desire of every gracious soul.  This is the end of their meeting as it now as became a social worship. The word and ordinances have a tendency to lead souls to a sight of him; and it may be expected, because it is promised; and whenever it is enjoyed, it is very delightful. A soul that meets with Christ in an ordinance, cannot but speak of it to others; and which he does with joy and pleasure, in an exulting, and even in a kind of a boasting manner; and that for the encouragement of others to attend likewise.

      Thomas said that expect I shall see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe. Aren’t we glad that we will not believe unless we can touch these wounds? That nails were used in the crucifixion of Christ, is certain, though nowhere else mentioned; whereby the prophecy of him in ( Psalms 22:16 ) was fulfilled. For nails were not always used in this kind of death. The bodies of men were sometimes fastened to the cross with cords, and not nails. How many were used, whether three or four, or more, as were sometimes used, is not certain, nor material to know. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions read, “the place of the nails”; that is, the place where the nails were drove. Thomas knew that Christ was fastened to the cross with nails, and that his side was pierced with a spear. Though not present, John, who was an eyewitness as the only disciple at the cross. Though they had all seen him alive, Thomas would not trust to their testimony; nay, he was determined not to believe his own eyes; unless he put his finger into, as well as saw, the print of the nails, and thrust his hand into his side, as well as beheld the wound made by the spear, he is resolved not to believe. And his sin of unbelief is the more aggravated, inasmuch as this disciple was present at the raising of Lazarus from the dead by Christ, and had heard Christ himself say, that he should rise from the dead the third day. We may learn from hence how great is the sin of unbelief that the best of men is subject to it; and that though this was over ruled by divine providence to bring out another proof Christ’s resurrection. Yet this did not excuse the sin of Thomas: and it may be observed, that as Thomas would not believe without seeing the marks of the nails and spear in Christ’s flesh; so many will not believe, unless they find such and such marks in themselves, which often prove very ensnaring and distressing.

            After Thomas had seen the resurrected Jesus for himself, he would continue to follow Jesus. When Jesus ascended back to heaven, Thomas was there (Acts 1:2, 9-13). When the disciples obeyed Jesus by waiting and praying for the Holy Spirit to come, Thomas was there (vv. 12-14). When the Spirit came in power, Thomas was there with the other disciples (2:1). Thomas was not afraid to follow Jesus. He simply wanted to be certain that it was truly Jesus who was leading the way (Luke 24;11, John 20:20). How can we be certain?

                          Read John 20:26-29

Interestingly, Jesus shows Thomas what he wanted all along. No questions, just an action. Although, given Thomas’ earlier demands, perhaps with a bit of an edge. But Thomas doesn’t need proof anymore. His old reality of death and defeat and limitations has been swept away in light of his encounter with the Risen Lord. And from this new and transformative vantage point, he makes the great confession of John’s Gospel – indeed, the New Testament! – confessing Jesus not only as his Lord, but also his God. And then comes Jesus’ reply- I wonder if at this point Jesus’ words are actually less directed to Thomas and more directed to us. That’s right, us. Because here’s the thing: all those people John was writing for none of them got to see Jesus, and yet they believed. So, I don’t think Jesus was scolding Thomas so much as he is blessing all those since – including us! – who have heard the story of Jesus and have believed.

            I love Jesus’ statement in verse 29: “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” The people of the time of John’s Gospel, if they decide to join the Church and believe in Christ as Lord and God, have to rely on and fully accept the apostolic eyewitness and tradition about him. They have to follow a way very different from the way of Thomas as presented in John 20:24-29. Thomas, because he saw the risen Jesus, believed. The Christians of the time of John’s Gospel, and of the years and centuries to follow, are those who have not seen and (yet) believed (Jn. 20:29). The Evangelist has included the Thomas incident, with its concluding beatitude, in his Gospel, obviously in order to encourage all those people of the present and of the future who had to believe in the Lord without seeing him. And what would be more encouraging than a beatitude coming from the mouth of the risen Lord? The beatitude encountered in John 20:29, however, is not there just for reasons of encouragement. It certainly has a much deeper meaning. What is this meaning? Why are the believers involved in this case called blessed. The answer seems to be twofold.

          First, moving from the state of unbelieving to the state of believing, not through seeing but through relying on the apostolic eyewitness, seems to imply an increased amount of faith.[30] Seeing produces a degree of compulsion,[31] somehow diminishes the risk and makes believing easier. Not seeing yet believing, on the other hand, involves more willingness, more decisiveness, more readiness for exposure to all kinds of probable dangers.

Secondly, the beatitude in this case might be understood with the assistance of another passage from the Gospel of John, namely, John 1:50.[33] This passage reads: “Jesus answered and said to him (i.e. to Nathanael), ‘Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.'” This text, in terms of formation and syntax, presents strong similarities to the passage John 20:29: (Thomas) “because you have seen me, you believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and (yet) believe.” Both passages have a first part dealing with believing after sense related evidence. The second part of John 20:29 is a beatitude, and the second part of John 1:50 is a promise of astonishing things to come.[34] An aspect then, of the blessedness of the believers in John 20:29 could be the experience of the greater things promised in 1:50. These greater things were fully manifested in the post-resurrection time, more specifically in the time after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came to the Church and endowed her and the believers with extraordinary gifts and amazing experiences.[35] The Christians who at the time of John’s Gospel have believed without, of course, having seen the risen Christ, were truly blessed, because through their faith, they enjoyed in full all the promised experiences of greater things.