Raised Up! (part 4 of 6)

As we noted yesterday, after a sponge of sour wine was raised up to
Jesus while He hung on the cross, He declared .
". 'IT IS FINISHED,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
( John 19:30 ESV)

What had been prophesied regarding Jesus had been fulfilled! What He
came to do had been completed! According to God's timetable the mission was
accomplished! It was a SUCCESS! However, for the moment it was not being
viewed as such, at least not by the disciples.

As Jesus died and then was taken down from the cross and placed in the
tomb, something else began to be raised. What could the disciples make of
all this? In view of Jesus' death and burial there was occasion for the
raising of confusion and doubt. Things were not working out according the
expectation of the disciples. Eventually they would recall the Lord's words
and believe (i.e. John 2:22), but for the present the day between His death
and resurrection was one of uncertainty.

The confusion and uncertainty were reflected in:
-- The perplexity of an open and empty tomb. ( Luke 24:2-4)
-- The continuation of mourning and weeping. ( Mark 16:10)
-- The report from the women sounding like "an idle tale." ( Luke 24:11)
-- The disciples' inability to understand even after seeing the empty
tomb. ( John 20:9)
-- The hiding away behind a locked door. ( John 20:19)
-- Then there was the sorrowful focus of the two on the road to Emmaus.
( Luke 24:13-24)
-- This confusion was expressed in the words, "But we had hoped that he
was the one to redeem Israel.." ( Luke 24:21)

Jesus had said "It is finished" and perhaps they thought they were.
Where was the hope? Where was the SUCCESS? What was to become of the
anticipated kingdom now?

Remember Jesus' earlier statement to the disciples regarding this time.
"(20) Truly, truly, I say to you, YOU WILL WEEP AND LAMENT, BUT THE
WORLD WILL REJOICE. YOU WILL BE SORROWFUL, BUT YOUR SORROW WILL TURN INTO
JOY. (21) When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has
come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the
anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (22) So
also YOU HAVE SORROW NOW, BUT I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN AND YOUR HEARTS WILL
REJOICE, AND NO ONE WILL TAKE YOUR JOY FROM YOU." ( John 16:20-22)

Jesus acknowledged the emotions the disciples would experience. He was
aware of their struggle to comprehend. There would be weeping, lamentation,
and deep sorrow. However, He encouraged them that they would see and a
LASTING JOY WOULD BE THEIRS.

Even for us, when things don't work out in the way we have anticipated,
that does not mean they won't work out! God is faithful! He will do it! (1
Thessalonians 5:24) Let us remember God is still ultimately in control. He
has His own way of working things out. Though we may not understand, He
knows what He is doing. Let us be patient. Let us wait on the Lord. Let us
leave the tomorrows in His hands. And let us brace ourselves for wonder at
the marvelous way in which He will SUCCESSFULLY bring His Will to
fulfillment.

Have a great day TRUSTING GOD EVEN WHEN LIFE DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Jesus