The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1542 John kc 59

John 20:19  just has to increase your faith in the Word of God because,
Mary Magdalene, the first person to see the resurrected Christ, has just been instructed by Him to go and tell His brethren that He is ascending to the Father, and she does exactly as the Word of God tells her to do.

John 20:18
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
This should have been a wake up call to the disciples [that's easy for us to say], for back in chapter 14 He told them that He was going away, and would go unto the Father, and would come again.

Jesus doesn't tell people He's going to do something and then not do it EXACTLY as He says.

Here are His very words:

John 14:28
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Well, they already know He has died, i.e. is gone away, and now Mary comes and tells them that she saw Him and He "specifically" sent her to tell them that He is ascending, i.e. going to the Father.

What's left but to come again unto them, which He is about to do.

So they should be rejoicing.

However, there were two other things Jesus said unto them in the prior verse, just before He gave those three prophetic statements to them.

And that is that He is leaving them with PEACE, HIS PEACE, for He is the Prince of Peace, and to NOT BE AFRAID.

Once again, here are His words to them:

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Here is the reason Jesus told the disciples this ahead of time, before it happened, because WHEN it is come to pass, not IF it comes to pass, "Ye might BELIEVE!"
John 14:29
And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Now, keep in mind all the preparation and instructions Jesus has given to the disciples, because here is the scene: The 10 disciples (Thomas is not with them at this gathering, as per vs. 24.) are "hiding out" with the doors shut FOR THE FEAR of the Jews.

You certainly can't have Peace of mind when you are filled with fear, can you?

Again, they know Jesus has gone away and Mary has now told them He has ascended to the Father.

This next verse just has to increase your faith in the Word of God.

John 20:19
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
The Word of God is so perfect. He told them before He would leave them with Peace. You see, He IS Peace and knowing and believing Him, the Prince of Peace, takes away all fear. But you must have faith and believe in Him.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


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