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Faith is the foundation of salvation
The Apostle John "was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:9c. This man wrote, "I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me." Revelation 1:10b,12a. John, then, described the one whom he saw. Revelation 1:12b-16. He declared, "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead." Revelation 1:17a. This human response was addressed by the one who spoke. "And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelation 1:17,18. This one had proven to all of the universe that he possessed all authority. One who has "been there, and done that" speaks with authority relating to the topic under discussion. Following the kangaroo court that masqueraded as a trial of the son of God (John 18:19-19:16a), the sham verdict was administered - "And they took Jesus, and led him away." (John 19:16b) John wrote, "And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha." John 19:17. Obviously, this was not to be some kind of pleasant event - "Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst." John 19:18. When the son of God released his spirit (John 19:30c), the Roman authorities made sure that the execution had taken place - as had been directed. To assure the completion of the task, "one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water." John 19:34. Many divine events occurred at this same time. Luke 23:44,45. "Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man." Luke 23:47. After the Roman had made certain of this death, "Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave." John 19:38a,b,c. Nicodemus (see John 3:1) aided in the preparation of the body for the burial in the personal tomb of Joseph (Matthew 27:60). This burial was not the end of the story. John wrote of Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb. John 20:1. Her report was investigated by Simon Peter and the disciple, John - who referred to himself as "the other disciple." John 20:2. They found that her report was true. John 20:3-8. "Then the disciples went away again unto their own home." John 20:10. The apostle recorded that "Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre." John 20:11. This action was - and is - a natural response. She was expecting to see an unoccupied area. However, she "seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain." John 20:12. The divine messengers "say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." John 20:13. John reported that "when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus." John 20:14. The resurrected Lord did not scold - nor in any way - chastise this weeping one. "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" John 20:15a. Her thoughts had not been turned in the direction of resurrection. "She, supposing him to be the gardner, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." John 20:15b,c. At this point the gardner spoke. "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. (John 10:3b). She turned herself (John 10:4c), and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, master." John 20:16. She desired to show her personal love for this one in a direct way. However, "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my father." John 20:17a,b. She was given a directive, and, thus, became the first evangelist - a bearer of good news - "but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my father, and your father; and to my God, and your God." John 20:17d. She was faithful in carrying out her assigned task. John 20:18. The divine record is not a complete list of the appearances of the resurrected savior. Luke and John recorded other occasions when he appeared to the believers. Luke 24:13-31; John 20:19-23, 24-29. Later, the Apostle Paul seemed to be giving details of the scene that is recorded in Acts 1:4-9. 1 Corinthians 15:6. The Apostle John wanted the readers to understand the significance of the things that he had written. "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20:30, 31.
There are those who would have us to believe that personal belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is some kind of optional belief. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Belief in this fact is foundational in our personal salvation - deliverance from sin. The message is "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9.
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