Why did God not make the resurrection a public event?
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it..And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men (Matthew 28:2,4, KJV)
The guards who were charged to protect the Tomb of Jesus were the only privileged ones to witness the resurrection first-hand. These soldiers were not prepared for what they saw, an angel descending from heaven, rolling the stone and sitting upon it! Fear got the guards frozen. Everyone else heard about the resurrection. If God really want to people to believe Jesus was the Messiah, why then did He not at least allow that the resurrection of Christ should be an event that was more public, at least as public as the crucifixion? Good question, and let me show you why.
Our salvation is a mysterious work of God, through a Savior and requiring men to exercise this heavenly gift called faith. The faith in Chris that produces salvation, does not come by sight. It comes by hearing the Word of God, that is, the Gospel! ( Rom. 10:17). I still remember the day the Spirit put in my heart that my faith will be built stronger by seeing Jesus in the Word rather than having some vision of Him or Angels or something similar.
Maybe some of you are still in that place I was, waiting for God to show you something physical or some vision to “make your faith stronger”. He is telling you today that you should take Him at His Word. Christ resurrected and that power is in you. You have heard the Word, and you do not need anything else from God before believing. If He gives you visions, be thankful, and receive them. They have their benefits but there is a vision the Lord is not just showing us all visions of Christ everywhere. Do not wait to enjoy the benefits of your Saviour’s resurrection because you are waiting for “some confirmation” of any kind.
MEDITATE
Do you think God would have solved the “unbelief” problem of the world if Jesus rose publicly from the grave? Think about Abraham’s response in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:31.
APPLY THE WORD
How many of you reading this devotional are “waiting for God” to “show me something” before you can believe His Word about your relationship with Him, ministry, family, health, etc? The Lord is telling you today, that you have His Word, and that is the greatest faith builder. Be stubborn with your faith, and enjoy what the Master suffered for!!
PRAY
Ask the Spirit to help you build your faith on His Word alone.
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