Bible Study - Hard (4) Love Your Enemies - Luke 6:27-36 - May 5, 2019

Bible Study – Hard (4) – Love Your Enemies – May 5, 2019

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “HE said What? Hard Sayings of JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is Luke 6:27-36.

Love your enemies even as CHRIST has loved you.

How has JESUS loved you? The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:8:

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

At one time every person was alienated from GOD because of sin but the love of JESUS, for each of us, compelled HIM to willingly give HIS sinless life for us. JESUS is GOD’S loving gift to every person. But as with any gift, each person must accept HIS Gift and that is an act of the will. When a person accepts this free gift, a miracle takes place within his or her body. His or her spirit is reborn and his or her dna is Spiritually changed from earth dna to Heavenly DNA. Those reborn in their spirit become children of GOD through this miracle of regeneration.

JESUS was teaching both HIS followers and HIS disciples in an area referred to as the “Sermon on the Plain.” HIS sermon dealt with attitudes and actions for those already HIS disciples.

It is natural for most humans to retaliate when they are threatened. What did JESUS teach? Why do we look at this teaching as hard?

The definition of “enemy” as used was a person not close to you or like you in any way. He or she was a person hostile to you and if left unguarded would do you great harm.

Love on the other hand, as used, meant “welcome, entertain, fond of” and in its strongest form is “to love dearly.” JESUS was saying this is the attitude Christians should have toward a person they would consider his or her enemy. WOW! I think JESUS is meddling, or is HE? How can such love come from a Christian toward those who would fall into the category of enemy? Christians must be filled with and controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Let’s explore! 

Let’s read Luke 6:27-28:

Love Your Enemies

27 "But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Why did JESUS begin HIS teaching “But I say to you who listen?” Many of us can hear a person speak but not be interested in what he or she is either saying or has to say? Why? Often, we consider the source. Do we trust what the speaker is saying or interested in what the speaker is saying? Has the speaker demonstrated a command of the subject matter he or she is espousing? It is the Holy Spirit Who gets our attention and when HE does, we listen with Spiritual ears.

So, JESUS prefaced HIS remarks with what I am about to tell you applies to those who are listening with ears eager to learn and to apply what I am teaching:

Love your enemies:

do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you,

pray for those who mistreat you.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:20:

20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

We can all read these instructions but how to we apply them?

You can attempt to muster up your own strength or you can use such situations to examine your Spiritual growth. If your heart does not reflect the attitude you know that JESUS teaches, then confess it and seek HIS guidance and strength to change it. Doing as JESUS taught only comes from our change of heart as brought about through the renewing of our minds as brought about by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Most of us enjoy the part in verse 20 about “heaping coals of fire on our enemies head.”

JESUS continued HIS teaching -----

Let’s read Luke 6:29-3,1:

29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don't hold back your shirt either.

30 Give to everyone who asks from you, and from one who takes away your things, don't ask for them back.

31 Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.

Treat others like you want to be treated under the same circumstances.

How can we do that? For Christians, we must allow the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. For those without JESUS, they must muster up the strength. But how many thinks of doing the things JESUS teaches? Even if they, non-Christians, do, where do they get their strength?

I recall an event my dad passed along to me many years ago. Dad was a supervisor in a cotton mill. He had a preacher working for him. The preacher and a fellow worker got into an altercation and the man hit the preacher on the creek. The preacher promptly turned the other creek and offered it to the man to hit. The man struck him on the other cheek and the preacher responded. How do you think the pastor responded? The preacher responded by beating the man who struck him. When my dad questioned the preacher, the preacher quoted verse 29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also.

The preacher told him that the Bible does not say what to do after you turned the other cheek, so he beat the man who had hit him. As I recall, both men were terminated.

Christians are to defend themselves.

Let’s read Luke 6:32-36:

32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

The word “love” carries the idea of “grace” or loving others in spite of their love for you, as a Christian. It is an ongoing love. As we read the following verses “doing good” or “lending” they carry the idea of ongoing actions. They are not actions Christians do once but ongoing.

By the same token, Christians must consider that neither does GOD give HIS Children things that will harm them. As Christians, we are to help those in need to become self-sustaining. As the old saying goes, “give a person a fish and you feed him or her for a day but teach the person how to fish and you feed him or her for a lifetime.” We are not to become enablers but helpers to give a hand-up instead of a hand-out.

33 If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full.

35 But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.

36 Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Quid pro quo is not good enough or if you scratch my back, I will scratch your back. There is a world order and there is a Holy Spirit directed order.

The old saying is still alive today, “Birds of a feather stick together.” We love to be in the company of those who do as we do – pornography, sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling, stealing, robbing, etc.

We have heard it stated, “Why did this person end up the way he or she did?” Well, they just got into the wrong crowd.” A person choosing the wrong crowd can end up with much suffering or even a person losing his or her life both upon earth and eternally.

JESUS was teaching Christians who desired to live according to the teachings of JESUS.

JESUS teachings in Matthew 5:43-48:

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Placing your faith in JESUS changes your earthly “dna” to Spiritual “DNA” through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. Just as a baby is born in the flesh, it has to be nourished and cared for until it can take care of itself. The same is true with Christians. Once we are born into GOD’S Family there is a growth process. JESUS stated it best in John 15:1-7:

1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

When Christians “abide” in JESUS, they trust in HIM. A process takes place as recorded in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 12:1-2:

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

and Titus 3:3-7:

3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

All Christians are saved the instant they place their faith in JESUS. Salvation is also the beginning of the process of sanctification or being made into the image of JESUS.

Have you accepted JESUS as your Savior? Have you made HIM the LORD of your life? JESUS loved you so much that HE gave HIS life to pay, in full for your sins, so that you can become a born-again Son or Daughter of GOD. This is the free gift GOD offers to all but you have to accept it. As with any gift you have a choice to take it or leave it. How do you choose? Be wise and choose eternal life through faith in JESUS!

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Hard (3) - Sell Everything You Own - Matthew 19:21-30 - April 28, 2019

Bible Study – Hard (3) – Sell Everything You Own – April 28, 2019

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “HE Said What? Hard Sayings of JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 19:21-30.

Choose JESUS or worldly wealth, because you can’t live for both.

Choose wisely my friends.

Let’s read Matthew 19:16-20:

The Rich Young Ruler

16 Just then someone came up and asked Him, "Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?"

17 "Why do you ask Me about what is good?" He said to him. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

“Someone” came up and addressed JESUS as “Teacher” and asked HIM a question. The term “teacher” is the Greek equivalent of the Jewish term “rabbi.” The man approaching JESUS recognized and acknowledged JESUS as an authority on Jewish religious issues. Then this person asked JESUS, “What good must I do to have eternal life?” JESUS responds to the person’s question with a question. “Why do you ask ME about what is good?” Why did JESUS respond with this question and a statement, “There is only One who is good!” Notice “One” is capitalized. No doubt JESUS was referring to GOD. I think JESUS wanted to know, do you see me as “Teacher” or “GOD”? The person’s response gave HIM the answer “What good must “I” do to have eternal life?”

The person’s question has a blunt, arrogant tone to it to me.

I think this person knew that JESUS was well respected and had a handle on the Jewish religion, at least according to all this person knew. The person believed he was in right standing with GOD. Was he looking for kudos from JESUS or did he have a genuine interest in a Spiritual checkup? JESUS knew this man’s heart. JESUS Knows our hearts as well.

There are times every Christian needs a Spiritual checkup. Do you know when such a time presents itself? If you answered, “When you take the LORD’S Supper,” you are correct. That is a time when every Christian needs to come before the LORD naked and transparent, meaning hiding nothing, and ask the Holy Spirit to examine their hearts and reveal any thing they need to confess and lay on the GOD’S altar and walk away from. Every Christian’s desire is to have no unconfessed sin in their lives and seek to be completely obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

JESUS gave him the opportunity to reveal how good he had been. JESUS asked him, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

Notice the person’s response as we read on -----

18 "Which ones?" he asked Him. Jesus answered, do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness;

19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.

20 "I have kept all these," the young man told Him. "What do I still lack?"

What did JESUS leave out? Coveting! Why do you think JESUS left out coveting? Could it have been that JESUS knew that this young ruler likely coveted because he was wealthy. JESUS likely did not want the young man to get sidetracked by focusing on coveting, instead JESUS wanted to get to the core this person’s issue, which HE quickly got to as we read on------

Let’s read Matthew 19:21-22:

21 "If you want to be perfect," Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."

Notice that JESUS did not tell the young man that he would gain eternal life. Instead, JESUS told him, if perfection is your goal then, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."

My, my this must have rattled this young man’s cage because wasn’t wealth GOD’S stamp of approval?

What do you think flooded through this young man’s mind e.g. if I sell everything, how will I have things, I will have to go to work or beg for support after all I am self-sufficient because god or my wealth has taken care of me!

So how did this young man handle this instruction from JESUS, the Teacher? Which was more important, selling his stuff or following JESUS?

Getting rid of the things that prevent us from building the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS is vital to building the right relationship with GOD. What are some of these things in your life?

Does GOD ask all of us to sell all that we have and give it to the poor? No! But if some of the things we are holding onto are barriers to having the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, then yes! But it does not have to be material things. It may be relationships, work habits, social life, sports either participation or watching and the list goes on.

Ask GOD to reveal to you what you may need to get rid of in your life to better serve HIM. When GOD reveals the answer, how will you respond? How did this young man respond? Let’s read on ----

22 When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Oh my, this was not what this young man wanted to hear.

Think about it. When many who are called into ministry and accept their call for ministry, most have to raise their support, go back to school, etc. It is tough, especially those with families. Then there is the support side. Those who give to support those called often may struggle to provide support. Supporting others in ministry may be a struggle but the joy and reward for those who support others comes from the knowledge of ministering right along with those called who are serving.

This young man did not get the answer he wanted and “went away grieving.”

JESUS used this exchange as a teaching moment for HIS disciples as we read on ----

Let’s read Matthew 19:23-30:

Possessions and the Kingdom

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!

24 Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, "Then who can be saved?"

As you recall, when a person was wealthy, he or she was blessed by GOD, according to the Jews. When JESUS made these comments about the rich person, HIS disciples were confused. If the rich cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD, then who can? What did the disciples of JESUS likely have in their minds? We have given up our jobs and have walked with JESUS, will we get into the kingdom of GOD? But they needed to think what had they done? They had left their jobs and followed JESUS. Often, when we are obedient, we fail to see it.

JESUS gave a puzzling response.

HIS disciples were shocked. JESUS said, “"I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!

24 Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

The “eye of the needle.” There are at least two thoughts regarding the “eye of the needle” (1) the eye of the needle was a narrow entry between two walls. Some say this opening had a gate and the camel had to get on its knees to get through the opening. (2) Another thought was rather than a camel trying to go through the eye of the needle, it was a rope trying to go through the eye of a sewing needle.

The point being some people may have extreme difficulty accepting JESUS as their Savior and making HIM the LORD of their lives because of human barriers in their lives. It is not just wealth that may be a barrier but anything that you covet or hold onto more than getting rid of it and accepting JESUS as your Savior. That is anything!

Is this easy to do? NO! Every person needs help and that help comes from the Holy Spirit. Our part is to be willing and GOD’S part is the filling. Trust JESUS to give you the strength to be obedient to HIS call.

26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

JESUS’ disciples may have looked bewildered. JESUS gave them the solution "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." JESUS’ response likely gave them some relief but Peter had an important question as we read on ----

27 Then Peter responded to Him, "Look, we have left everything and followed You. So, what will there be for us?"

28 Jesus said to them, "I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

29 And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life.

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Great question brother Peter! When is the Messianic Age? It is during the 1000-year rule of JESUS upon earth. HE did not elaborate on this. Likely, JESUS had already instructed HIS disciples regarding the end times. We do not know. Obedience to the call of GOD results in eternal life. GOD calls all to accept JESUS as their Savior by faith.

JESUS gave the response to HIS disciples and in turn HE gave it to every person who has been or will ever be called to minister for JESUS. We need to keep in mind that is not just missionaries, pastors, evangelists, etc. serving the body of the church but it is every Christian. Some are called to be plumbers, teachers, mechanics, pastors, missionaries, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, lawyers, medical personnel, business people and the list goes on. Keep in mind the widow’s mites as recorded in Mark 12:41-44:

41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.

42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.

43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;

44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

It is not the quantity of what we do or give but it is the attitude of our hearts. GOD sees and knows our hearts. Be a cheerful giver and blessings will flow. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Hrd (2) - You'll Never Die - John 11:25-27; 20:24-29 - April 21, 2019 - Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!

Bible Study – Hard (2) – You’ll Never Die – April 21, 2019

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “HE Said What? Hard Sayings of JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is John 11:25-27; 20:24-29.

The resurrection of JESUS makes our own resurrection possible.

This statement reads as if our own resurrection is in doubt. Well, our resurrection as Christians is not in doubt. The Apostle Paul stated it best in 2 Corinthians 5:1-9: (NKJV)

1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.

4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

How did the Apostle Paul know this? Let’s read 2 Corinthians 2:1-5:

Sufficient Grace

1 It is necessary to boast; it is not helpful, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don't know; God knows.

3 I know that this man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-

4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.

5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

It is believed that this man was the Apostle Paul. Possibly when Paul was stoned as we read in Acts 14:19:

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

This account from Paul parallels an account a pastor friend gave me many years ago who had been pronounced dead after an automobile accident. His body had been taken to the basement of the hospital for the funeral home to pick him up. A nurse passing by saw his eyelid move and resuscitated him. As Paul could not put into words what he saw in Heaven neither could my pastor friend.

Let’s read John 11:21-27:

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother wouldn't have died.

22 Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You."

23 "Your brother will rise again," Jesus told her.

24 Martha said, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.

26 Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die-ever. Do you believe this?"

27 "Yes, Lord," she told Him, "I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Martha knew about the “resurrection at the last day.” JESUS reminded Martha that HE was both the resurrection and the life. Even when a person dies physically, he or she will live eternally because JESUS is both the resurrection and the life. But it takes faith in JESUS to live eternally with GOD/JESUS. Martha responded to JESUS’ question appropriately.

The miracle of rebirth of our human spirit requires placing your faith in JESUS. Every person’s human dna must be changed into Spiritual DNA through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth by the power of GOD via the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read John 12:20-36:

Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion

20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival.

21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, "Sir, we want to see Jesus."

To me these verses have had special meaning over the years. Most every person has the desire to see JESUS for various reasons. Most of us long to see JESUS to be in HIS presence and commune with HIM and ask questions. Often, we try to define HIM before we see HIM and get to know HIM. That can lead to false assumptions. Most of us seek truth, as HE is truth. To me when I read the words "Sir, we want to see Jesus," it came across in my mind as loving and genuine. They wanted to meet JESUS for the right reasons. It is precious because it reflects their hearts. Does it reflect your heart? Does it reflect my heart? Such a question sent a powerful message to JESUS as we read on ----

22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied to them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24 "I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop.

25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

27 "Now My soul is troubled. What should I say-Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour.

28 Father, glorify Your name!" Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!"

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him!"

30 Jesus responded, "This voice came, not for Me, but for you.

31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

32 As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all [people] to Myself."

33 He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.

34 Then the crowd replied to Him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

35 Jesus answered, "The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn't overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn't know where he's going.

36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light." Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.

We, as Christians, must walk in the light of HIS presence while there is still light because darkness is coming. Christians must share the truth of JESUS while they can because dark days are coming.

Martha and Mary witnessed the dark days of the death of their brother, Lazarus. But their grief will be turned to joy through faith in JESUS. JESUS spoke the words as recorded in John 11:32-44:

32 When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and told Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died!"

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was angry in His spirit and deeply moved.

34 "Where have you put him?" He asked. "Lord," they told Him, "come and see."

35 Jesus wept.

36 So the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

37 But some of them said, "Couldn't He who opened the blind man's eyes also have kept this man from dying?"

The Seventh Sign: Raising Lazarus from the Dead

38 Then Jesus, angry in Himself again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.

39 "Remove the stone," Jesus said. Martha, the dead man's sister, told Him, "Lord, he already stinks. It's been four days."

40 Jesus said to her, "Didn't I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"

41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You heard Me.

42 I know that You always hear Me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so they may believe You sent Me."

43 After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

44 The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him and let him go."

Yes, JESUS resurrected Lazarus but keep in mind Lazarus eventually died physically and to live eternally with JESUS.

This miracle was before the crucifixion of JESUS. Now we go to after the resurrection of JESUS as we read on -----

Let’s read John 20:24-25:

Thomas Sees and Believes

24 But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called "Twin"), was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples kept telling him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "If I don't 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 many of us like doubting Thomas. We want proof. I know, I did. But guess what? We all must take a step of faith and when we do our Spiritual eyes are opened and we see truth and behold truth. Let’s read Thomas’s statement again, "If I don't 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!"

When Thomas encountered JESUS eight days later, how did he respond?

Let’s read John 20:26-29:

26 After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, "Peace to you!"

27 Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don't be an unbeliever, but a believer."

28 Thomas responded to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 Jesus said, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed."

Notice, “eight days later,” JESUS appeared to Thomas. It seems that eight days is significant. It marks “new beginnings.” Thomas would have a new beginning because he would place his faith in the risen JESUS. That is exactly what every person must do.

JESUS demonstrated to HIS disciples including Thomas, this time, that HE was living in HIS Glorified body by walking through the locked door. JESUS was no longer bound by physical constraints. Walls or doors were no longer a barrier to HIM. JESUS appeared in their midst. When HE did, HE specifically addressed Thomas and answered his questions. JESUS was not physically present when Thomas made his statements in verse 25, yet JESUS knew the questions Thomas had concerning HIM.

Notice what JESUS told Thomas, “"Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don't be an unbeliever, but a believer."

This is a message to all people, explore JESUS and Don't be an unbeliever, but a believer." What does scripture reveal to us as recorded in Luke 11: 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (JESUS was speaking)

JESUS knows the questions we have concerning HIM and HE seeks to answer them when we seek answers in earnest in order to get to know HIM in truth.

JESUS desires to reveal truth to all who seek HIM. As the Greeks stated "Sir, we want to see Jesus."

Do you desire to see JESUS? If so, tell HIM and HE will reveal Himself to you. JUST be vigilant. Read GOD’S Word. You might begin with the Book of Mark or John. Be honest with HIM and tell HIM why you do not believe and ask HIM to help you with your unbelief. Just keep in mind that the road as a Christian will be hard but HE will be your strength. Blessings!!!