Tehillah Generation Chapel
Daily Manna
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Topic: The empty tomb 8
Reading: Matthew 27:57-66, 28:1-15
Scripture: He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee. (Luke 24:6)
Note: The rapid spread of the Gospel, with the lighting of the flame on the day of Pentecost when the promise of the empowerment with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as promised by the ascended Christ was fulfilled, was to witness a crazy manifestation of the unprecedented presence of the Spirit on people as prophesied by the prophet Joel, symbolised with the speaking of tongues by all the disciples waiting in the upper room.
The unusual boldness displayed by Peter in the preaching of the word on the day of Pentecost was a stark reminder of the inner change that had taken place inside of Peter with the outpouring of the Spirit, now manifesting on the outside. Rolling back to the trial of Jesus before the Jewish religious council, Peter had denied knowing Jesus, associating with him and going further to swear on his word that he never had anything to do with Jesus. Peter committed this unbelievable denial not just once, but thrice, before he came back to his senses to repent.
Peter and John had run to the empty tomb when they were informed of the news of Christ’s resurrection by the women. As was characteristic of the Jewish men in their era, Peter had not believed the testimony of the women. Aside the incredible news coming from Mary Magdalene and the women folk, it was very common for men in those days to easily ignore the testimony or witness from women as not credible, mere fables or the figment of their imagination.
To confirm the women’s story, both Peter and John gathered the courage to come out of their hiding and went to the tomb to verify for themselves. John got there earlier but only spied from the entrance to the tomb. Peter joined later, but had the courage to enter the tomb to confirm that indeed Jesus Christ had risen from the dead as he promised.
Food for thought: The blueprint for Peter’s preaching on the day of Pentecost centered mainly on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and his ascension into glory.
Declaration: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
© Author: Rev Fred Aboe
