WE SEE JESUS

Part 3

Pastor Floyd H. Crook

(1982)

“THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip….Thou host put all things in subjection under his feet….But now we see not yet all things put under him. BUT WE SEE JESUS, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste DEATH FOR EVERY MAN.” Hebrews 2:1,8b,9.

JESUS’ VICTORY OVER DEATH

When Jesus was buried the religious rulers came to Pilate, “Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure….” Pilate replied, “Ye have a watch: go your way, MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN.” Matthew 27:63 and 65. I do not know what was in the mind of Pilate, but somehow I feel he thought, “Make it as sure as you can, but it isn’t going to be sure.” They rolled the stone to the door, set a seal upon it, and set a watch to guard the tomb. In spite of all of the precautions, the Bible tells us that some women were on their way to the tomb early in the morning, the first day of the week. As they were going, they reasoned about who could roll that stone away, because it was very great. When they LOOKED, they saw the stone rolled away. (As far as I am concerned, no one saw that act.) When they got there, Jesus was not in the tomb. Hallelujah! Glory! HE WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD. “...it was not possible that he should be holden of it (death).” Shortly after I had that heart attack (Do not want to talk about myself too much)”, something struck me in my left arm. It might have been a stroke. It was terribly painful; looked like I was going to lose the use of my left arm. It has improved much, because God has given me a vision of Jesus. Hallelujah! It is marvelous when we get our eyes on the Lord.

When the disciples were told about Jesus’ resurrection, they did not believe it. Jesus came to them, as they were gathered together, with one missing - you know who that is. Thomas came later and said, “Except shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger Into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25. Later, when Jesus appeared, I think He gave Thomas the invitation, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered: “My Lord, and my God.” I don’t think Thomas put his finger in the nail prints. He was so overjoyed, he forgot all about the natural proof he had wanted to have. HE SAW THE LORD! GLORY TO GOD!

He appeared to the disciples various times, after His resurrection. One time they had toiled all night - fishermen, you know - and had caught nothing. Jesus told them where to cast their net, and they found fish in abundance. Later, Jesus called them to the shore, but he didn’t tell them to bring along their fish and cook them. The meal was all prepared. You see, Jesus wants to do something for us. To be sure, we in turn bring something to Him, but first of all, He does something for us. If we will just let the Lord do what He wants to do on the inside, every thing else will automatically be regulated. He will do for you, and through you, what He wants to do.

Part 4 – continued in the nest issue