Bible Study - Step By Step - Part 2 - January 25, 2026

 

Bible Study – Step By Step – Part 2 – Various - January 25, 2026

In last week’s study, we considered the infrastructure of the Earth created by GOD to support various life forms upon earth, including humans.

Earth is beautiful and was made for humans to enjoy. It is the training ground for humans to build the right relationship with GOD. Life upon earth gives all people the opportunity to build the right relationship with GOD, JESUS and The Holy Spirit or the Trinity.

GOD reveals Himself through the earth, nature, the universe, and the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Earth is a stopping place for building, equipping, developing for all people to freely consider eternity and GOD.

Building the right relationship with GOD is step by step.

What GOD created on day one was necessary for what HE did on day 2, etc. The same is true as we build the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

Salvation through faith in JESUS, HIS physical life upon earth as GOD’S only SON, HIS death by crucifixion, burial and resurrection on the third day. HE walked upon earth after HIS resurrection. JESUS walk upon earth, following HIS resurrection, was witnessed by  over 500 people as written in 1 Corinthians 15: ³ For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time,^[a] he also appeared to me (Paul).

The Bible gives us an example of building using various materials as we read in 1 Corinthians 3: ¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 

The foundation upon which all “born again”/Holy Spirit conceived Christians build is JESUS ----

In Matthew 21:42, we read:

Jesus asked them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The [very] Stone which the builders rejected and threw away, Has become the chief Cornerstone; This is the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous and wonderful in our eyes’?

Acts 4:11

This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone.

What is the purpose of the cornerstone?

The cornerstone of a building --- History, the cornerstone was the first stone set during the building process. Careful measurements were taken to ensure the cornerstone was square to ensure the proper alignment of the remainder of the building.

Dear FATHER, YOU have placed JESUS as YOUR cornerstone and all who place their faith in JESUS are to build upon that foundation/cornerstone as led and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, which was and is supported and held in place by YOU before time began.

I believe the Apostle Paul understood this Spiritual building process as he wrote in Ephesians 1: ³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons (or daughters) through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

I used Paul’s writing on this subject because we agree on the origin of human life ---- GOD had and has all people in HIS mind and heart before HE created earth. All humans are given the choice of eternal life through faith in JESUS based on HIS birth, life upon earth, ministry, death upon the cross, resurrection to eternal life, and ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the righthand of GOD HIS FATHER.

In this position, JESUS intercedes for all “born again” Christians.

JESUS is the example for all humans that faith in JESUS results in eternal life and citizenship in Heaven.

We cannot earn our way to Heaven; it takes faith in JESUS.

A precious friend of ours went home to Heaven early this morning. She was ready to see JESUS. See you later Nancy.

We cannot work hard enough or long enough to work our way to Heaven. JESUS is the only way. HE paid the price for sin in full for all who place their faith and trust in HIM.

⁷ In him (JESUS) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him. Reconciliation!!!

Timing is important to GOD!!!

Keep in mind that JESUS knocks on our hearts door and we are the only ones who can unlock that door because it is dead bolted from the inside. GOD and The Holy Spirit leave it up to us to unlock our hearts door and invite JESUS into our most intimate/private spot in our life, our inner most being where truth resides.

We must keep in our minds:

CHRIST in us, the hope of glory. Colossians 1: ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

I don’t believe we, as Spirit-Born believers, have scratched the surface of what is possible through faith in JESUS.

The Apostle Paul stated in Philippians 4:13:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Do we believe this statement?

We need to have a mental reset from “NO, we can’t” to “YES, we can through faith in JESUS.” It is vital to know, as “born again” Christians, are we being led by the Holy Spirit or are we being led by own desires? Discernment is vital as we walk with JESUS.

Satan is the enemy of all Christians and those who desire to be Christians.

Please, keep in mind that Satan offers you Hell and JESUS offers you citizenship eternally in Heaven as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, through the miracle of being “born again” eternally as GOD’S Son or Daughter.

Once, a person is “born again,” the Holy Spirit begins to reveal truth to that person and feed him/her Spiritual nourishment from GOD’S Word, The Holy Bible. So, it is vital that you study GOD’S Word and let JESUS direct your life path as you serve.

Christians feed upon the nourishing Word of GOD as we encounter life.

Born-again Christians build upon the solid foundation of JESUS the cornerstone.

¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

In the beginning GOD made heaven and earth to be occupied by life HE would create – plant life, animal life, human life, micro, macro, etc. This life would have to be supported. Earth’s soil and water are amazing to sustain life upon earth. Put a plant or seed into the soil and it grows.

All we have to do is look around and behold earth. We are its inhabitants. Where did we come from? Simply, we came from our parents or from the union of human sperm and human egg.

GOD revealed to Moses the origin of earth and life upon earth, otherwise we would be left to our human imagination.

When we read the book of Genesis, we learn that GOD’S adversary, Satan, was also present upon earth.

We know that Satan is still at work upon earth.

The battle rages in today’s world and we can see signs that GOD and JESUS have revealed that indicate the return of JESUS to establish the rule of JESUS upon a redeemed earth is ever closer.

When will the end come? Only GOD knows. Even JESUS does not know.

So, in the meantime what do we who know the truth do?

We build our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, study GOD’S Word, The Holy Bible, seek the will of GOD for us, pray, tell others about JESUS and HIS redemptive love through faith in JESUS. Being “born again”/Spiritual birth is just the beginning of a person’s walk with JESUS.

JESUS gave us signs to look for when HIS time to return to earth is getting closer. One sign is that there will be an increase in earthquakes.

What do Palm Springs, California and Elgin, South Carolina have in common? Both had earthquakes the morning I was writing this study.

There will be an increase in earthquakes on earth. Some may say, “well there have always been earthquakes upon earth.” True but they will get worse as the time of the return of JESUS gets closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Why JESUS? JESUS is vital to GOD’S redemptive plan for all people to be redeemed from eternal death to eternal life through faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

JESUS is the cornerstone upon which GOD established which all who are redeemed are to build upon.

Even nature waits to be redeemed from decay ---

Romans 8:19

For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed.

Why? When GOD’S redeemed Children, “Born again” or “Spirit Born” Children, are revealed as GOD’S Children, all nature will be redeemed and set free from decay. There will be a new Heaven and earth ruled by GOD and JESUS.

In the meantime, what do we, who know the truth, do?

Born-again Christians are to build upon that cornerstone, which is faith in JESUS, HIS physical birth as a human. Whose mother was Mary. HE lived a sinless life, gave HIS sinless life upon the cross by the shedding of HIS sinless blood to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice for sin.
Did JESUS accomplish HIS purpose? GOD said YES!!! How do we know that? GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to be eternally alive.

Why? Hebrews 9:22

According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

What does that mean to us? It means we have a Savior who knows temptation.

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study - Step By Step - GOD Created Earth for A Purpose - Various - January 11, 2026

Bible Study – Step By Step – GOD Created Earth For A Purpose – January 11, 2026

How did GOD form earth? Step by step. Why did GOD create earth?

Isaiah 43:6-7: GOD was speaking through Isaiah:

I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
⁷ everyone who bears my name
and is created for my glory.
I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

Humans were created to Glorify GOD.

What was our beginning?

Ephesians 1:3-5:

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

GOD chose us before the foundation of the world!!!

The question is have you chosen HIM through faith in JESUS?

Where were we until we were born as humans?

I contend all humans were in the mind and heart of GOD.

All humans have the freedom to choose. The question is, “have you made your choice?” If so, see you in Heaven!

• GOD makes provisions for those who die without reaching the age of accountability. The Bible does not specify an age of accountability but suggests God's grace covers those unable to choose faith i.e., unborn, children, mentally challenged, etc.
• But there are many who are challenged are presented the Good News of Salvation through faith in JESUS, say they already knew the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS. (I have had people who had near death experiences tell me that they met a child or grandchild who died as a baby or young person in Heaven. The deceased child had grown to the age he/she would have been on earth.

Continue: Ephesians 1:7-14:

• ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Just as we build many things upon earth, first, we need the idea, then a plan, consider resources needed, ability to accomplish the plan and after careful thought put the plan into action.

We read in Luke 14: ²⁸ “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? ²⁹ Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

GOD builds upon the solid foundation of HIS Word and the passion of JESUS. When a person builds he/she needs to think it through.

GOD practices what HE teaches through HIS Word and HIS Chosen.

We need a solid foundation, which is our faith in JESUS, and upon that solid foundation we build in an orderly manner, as guided by the Holy Spirit. GOD has a plan and a design for each of HIS Children. GOD builds in our lives according to HIS final design for HIS Son or Daughter and HIS intended purpose and the functions required to accomplish that purpose.

GOD had a plan for earth to sustain various forms of life under a variety of environments. HE formed earth and placed it in just the precise spot in the universe to achieve HIS purposes.

Earth had to be self-sustaining with help from its inhabitants. It would not be feasible to run to Mars for wheat to make bread.

The same is true for the lives of all who place his/her faith in JESUS as his/her Savior. GOD has a plan for each person who places his/her faith in JESUS. HIS ultimate plan is for all to accept JESUS as their Savior and to make JESUS the LORD of their lives. But salvation through faith in JESUS is every person’s freedom to choose.

Have you made your choice?

We have an enemy, Satan, who works hard to prevent humans from becoming GOD’S Son or Daughter through faith in JESUS. Satan is a deceiver.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Did you know that even nature longs to be redeemed as we read in:

Romans 8:19 Revised Standard Version

¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Why? When those in CHRIST are fully redeemed, so will creation.

2 Peter 3:13

But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

In the meantime, earth functions. We who know the truth are to share with others the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS, as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

GOD prompts humans to seek redemption and salvation, why? It is because GOD and JESUS seek all people, as we read in

Matthew 7:7 - Christian Standard Bible - Ask, Search, Knock

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door^[a] will be opened to you.

We can knock, seek and find but GOD, The Holy Spirit, also knocks on our heart’s door. When HE does, we have a choice to make. How will we respond, “I am so glad to see you,” or “Oh, its, YOU again!”

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

All people are like sheep and JESUS is their shepherd and searches for those who are lost in the muck and mire of life. JESUS seeks you. Do you seek HIM? How do we know JESUS seeks us? WHO is that knocking on our heart’s door???

Revelation 3:20

See! I (JESUS via THE HOLY SPIRIT) stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

GOD does not want a single person to go to Hell. HE does everything to get a person’s attention and reveals truth because HE is truth.

What can a person do to block the wooing of the HOLY SPIRIT?

Continue to refuse the still small voice of GOD when HE knocks or bangs on the door of your heart!!! Refusing to hear or not responding to the still small voice of GOD or the loud bang of the Holy Spirit on your heart’s door, can result in a hard heart.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Not a good situation for a person to be in because when we refuse to open our hearts door, we build a barrier or harden our heart.

Do not think for a split second that GOD or JESUS desires for a person to go to Hell!!! After all, JESUS gave HIS life to redeem all who place their faith in JESUS from Hell. JESUS died just for you to have eternal life through faith in HIM.

GOD went to the full extent to give all people the opportunity to be redeemed by allowing HIS only SON, JESUS to come earth to live as a human. JESUS being a human upon earth meant HE was subject to death and capable of sinning.

The Good News is JESUS did not sin and HE willingly gave HIS earthly Life to pay, in full, for all SIN for the vilest sinner to the simplest sinner!

JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life for all who place their faith in HIM. All who do will have eternal life through the miracle of being “Born-again” in their spirit by the Holy Spirit.

Why was JESUS giving HIS human life through HIS physical death vital and necessary to GOD’S redemptive plan? First, JESUS had to trust GOD, HIS FATHER to raise HIM from the physically dead and restore HIS eternal life.

Luke 23:46

And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.”

JESUS willingly gave up his sinless human spirit at HIS death. Just as all humans will give up their human spirit at the death of their human body.

Those who have placed their faith in JESUS at physical death will immediately be in the presence of JESUS and eternally in Heaven.

Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who are “born again” and die before JESUS returns to earth will go immediately to Heaven. Those who are “Born again” and alive when JESUS returns to earth, JESUS’ second coming, will meet JESUS in the sky and be taken to Heaven.

This is when the church will be raptured or taken from earth.

JESUS paid the penalty for sin, in full, for all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion. JESUS was and is the only perfect acceptable sacrifice.

I used to argue with GOD, why couldn’t I give my life for my sins?

The answer was quick and simple. “you do not qualify because I demand a perfect sacrifice and you are not perfect, but JESUS is.”

Ouch, HE hit the nail on the head.

The passion of JESUS is the assurance that all who place their faith in JESUS will immediately, upon their physical death, be with JESUS. I believe before they experience the death of their human body, they will be walking with JESUS.

Now, that is something to shout about!!!

Why did JESUS have to die and shed HIS sinless blood?

Was it to atone for all sins? We read in: Hebrews 9:22 - According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

All of us are born for the first time as flesh and blood but it takes a second birth for people to be “born-again” in his or her spirit. This second birth is Spiritual and is necessary for any person to get to Heaven and become its citizen as recorded in Philippians 3:20:

Our citizenship is in heaven, and we, who are alive upon earth, eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

(JESUS waits for the moment GOD, HIS FATHER, gives HIM the command to return to the earth and take all “Born-again” Christians with HIM to Heaven. This is the rapture or the great disappearance.)

What happens to “born again” or “Spirit Born” believers when they die?

They go immediately to Heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:8

In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

This is also referred to by some as the great escape/rapture.

JESUS told a Biblical scholar, a Pharisee, Nicodemus, about the need for a person to be “born-again” as we read in John 3:1-21:

Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. (Flesh is limited and will deteriorate. The Spirit is eternal!!! ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

It is clear that humans must be changed from flesh to Spirit through the miracle of Spiritual Birth, through faith in JESUS.

Nicodemus asked a very good question ------

⁹ “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

¹⁰ “Are you a teacher^[b] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. ¹¹ “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man.^[c]

¹⁴ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him may^[d] have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Do you think Nicodemus eventually got JESUS’ message?

Let’s read on-----

John 19:38-42 - Jesus’ Burial following HIS crucifixion.

After this (crucifixion), Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission; so, he came and took his body away. Nicodemus (who had previously come to him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ...

These two men did, what the disciples of JESUS did not do.                                                                                   

Do you think that the disciples of JESUS had grandiose visions about JESUS? We do not know. But often, we, as humans, build air castles about a person. When that person does not measure up to our expectations, we give up on them.

After the crucifixion of JESUS, where were HIS disciples? They were holding up in a house. Why? Jesus’ disciples knew the power of JESUS, and they likely had visions of JESUS showing the political rulers, leaders, spiritual leaders that HE was King of Kings and LORD of LORD’S.

After all, when a person of power is threatened, he or she responds with power. Jesus’ disciples knew that Jesus had power to cure, restore, raise the dead back to life, heal the lame, the blind, walk on water, cast out demons and so much more.

So, who steps up in a time of need for JESUS to have a proper burial?

Not HIS disciples ---

After a person was crucified, the body was often left to decompose in place or was not buried. If left, the body was subject to various scavengers to eat the flesh.

Fortunately, that was not the fate of JESUS because -----

JESUS died by crucifixion on a cross. HIS death was confirmed by Roman soldiers by thrusting a spear in HIS side. HE was buried by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, Jewish religious leaders, who were followers of JESUS.

What did the disciples of JESUS do? All but John were hiding. John was caring for the mother of JESUS.

But who went to the tomb to complete the embalming process? Some of the lady followers of JESUS.

John 20:1 On the first day of the week (Sunday) Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. ² So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

³ At that, Peter, and the other disciple (Believed to be John) went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵ Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶ Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 

Why is this important? For women to find the empty tomb was a major confirmation of authenticity or was it. In that culture women:

--- women’s testimony was generally not considered admissible in court. Jewish law often deemed women’s testimonies unreliable even multiple women’s testimonies. It is interesting that multiple women’s testimonies would not be accepted. A man’s testimony was needed to confirm a woman’s testimony.

GOD made sure all bases were covered as we read on -----

We know that once the ladies discovered the empty tomb ---

John 20:1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. ² So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

³ At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵ Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶ Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 

An overview: Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners” (Matthew 26:45). At the last supper, Jesus had said to all His disciples, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me,” (Matthew 26:31). John reports, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your home, You will leave me all alone” (John 16:31). So, when Jesus was arrested, everyone, including “all the disciples deserted Him and fled” (Matthew 26:55).

When Jesus was taken before Caiaphas, the high priest, Peter alone followed at a distance right into the courtyard and sat down with the guards to see the outcome of Jesus’ trial. While he was sitting there, a servant girl came to Peter and asked him if he wasn’t with Jesus. He replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” (Matthew 26:70) Then he went out to the gateway and another servant girl said to the crowd that Peter had been with Jesus. Peter again denied with an oath that he didn’t know what they were talking about. After a little while, the people standing around went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away. Then he began to call down curses and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’” (Matthew 26:73-74) When Jesus was crucified, the only ones watching Him from a distance were many women, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, the mother of Zebedee’s sons, and John. Other than John, none of the disciples were there at the crucifixion.

We have to be very careful regarding the “I think” in our lives. What we may think often leads us to false conclusions. The disciples of JESUS likely thought they had it all figured out. JESUS had extraordinary power and HE would show the leaders in Israel that HE was the ruler.

When things did not go as they thought, they gave up. That is human nature because GOD’S plans and ways far exceed what we, as humans, may think or desire.
Jesus’ disciples deserted Him. These men who had followed Jesus for three years, cut out and left Jesus behind to be killed. However, after Jesus’ death, all of the disciples, including Jesus’ brother James (who thought his brother was crazy before Jesus’ death) and later Paul (who persecuted the Christians) spread to the ends of the then known countries preaching the Gospel and most of them died a martyr’s death defending Jesus Christ. What happened to make this spectacular change and what do we know about each apostle’s life after Jesus’ death?

Do you know what is beautiful about JESUS?

HE never, ever gives up on us and neither did HE give up on HIS disciples, nor Judas. Judas was motivated to have a major political change in Israel. His motivation led him to betray JESUS.

JESUS stands at the door of our heart and knocks, knocks, and keeps knocking. The latch that unlocks our heart’s door is on the inside of our being and we are the only ones who can unlatch the most private part of our being, our heart.

Here we must be extremely careful. Why? Because, when a person resists the wooing of the Holy Spirit so much that person hardens his or her heart, his/her innermost being where truth resides, that the person no longer senses the wooing of the Holy Spirit.

The good news is, if a person worries whether or not he/she has committed the “unpardonable sin,” he/she has not, because if the person has, he/she would not be concerned about it. Truly a very sad state for any person to be in.

This brings to mind a story I heard many years ago about a church having a weeklong revival. The revival was ending and an invitation was given. There was a mentally challenged man who was a member of that church and approached a man who had been attending the service. This was a man the pastor of the church thought needed JESUS.

The man bolted and left the church. The pastor thought, “Oh, my I don’t know what was said to the person who bolted out of the church, but he needed to follow up.”

The next day the pastor was pondering how to approach the man who bolted out of the church, the pastor’s phone rang. It was the person who bolted. The pastor began apologizing for the action of the church member. The man told the pastor to stop, “It was what your church member said to me last night is the reason I am calling you.”

The pastor, then ask the man, what did he say?

“He came up to me and asked me, “Do you want to go to Heaven? And I said “NO!” Then your church member said to me, “Then go to Hell!!!””

The man then told the pastor that those words echoed in his mind all night and he could not sleep, because he realized that he had to make a choice and he wanted to know how to become a Christian and go to Heaven.

The pastor led this man to accept JESUS as his Savior.

Accepting JESUS as your Savior is not the words but it is all about a person’s heart. A person may say, LORD I am a sinner and I ask YOU to forgive me for all of my sins and for YOU to come into my heart. I open my heart’s door and ask YOU to come in and make me YOUR Child through the miracle of being “born-again” in my spirit to be eternally your son/daughter through the miracle of Spiritual Birth or being “Born again.”

If you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart, thank HIM for the Gift of eternal life through the miracle of being “born-again” Spiritually into the eternal family of GOD.

Welcome Home my brother or sister in CHRIST!!!

If you are not already in a Bible teaching fellowship or church, pray and ask JESUS to lead you to where you can be taught and grow Spiritually and be obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings!!!

WOW!!!