SHARING BREAD
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the
mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some
doubted.
Matt
28:16-17 (NIV)
The result of obedience is sure blessing. This is a golden theme throughout all of
Scripture. The faithfully obedient are
privy to enjoy more and more of God. We are to look to Jesus for every blessing
we stand in need of. His grace being
sufficient to meet each need, He abundantly pours it down on all those seeking like
gentle showers on receiving hearts. When
God blesses He gives in such measure that there is not room enough to receive
it. Open wide your mouth, He states, and
I will fill it. Indeed, Scripture tells
us:
25 “'I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid
the land of wild beasts so that they may live in the desert and sleep in the
forests in safety. 26 I
will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in
season; there will be showers of blessing.”
Ezek 34:25-26 (NIV)
“All the commandments of God are commandments
of love tending to our real good and great happiness; far from being grievous
to those who have faith and love, the practice thereof is life and peace. The world may think it a grievous burden;
but this is a great mistake indeed. Sin
is grievous. In hatred, envy, anger,
revenge, pride, there is nothing but torment and slavery; but in love there is
a sweet rest and pleasure. Thus a sinner
always punishes himself, and is robbed of great peace and blessing, by
transgressing the commandments of God.”
K. H. Von Bogatzky
“Deep in your heart it is not guidance you
want so much as a Guide.” John White
Earlier in this same chapter of Matthew, the disciples had
been told the angel’s proclamation by the women that they would see Jesus in
Galilee:
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I
know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come
and see the place where he lay. 7 Then
go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going
ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matt 28:5-7 (NIV)
Indeed, Christ had even told His guys prior to His
crucifixion that after He had risen from the dead He would go ahead of them
into Galilee:
32 “But
after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Matt 26:32 (NIV)
In
our verses for today we discover the disciples were present when the Lord Jesus
appeared according to the appointment. In
obedience, they went to where He told them to go. To be sure, a long journey to behold the
sight of Christ yet an amazingly worthwhile one. They had learned to obey Christ’s commands
and not object to them – not kick against His best for their lives – even when
it seemed unusual. Oh that we would do
likewise! Those who desire to keep up
their fellowship with Christ must go where He appoints.
“He
knows the way He taketh,” even if for the moment we do not.” J.I.
Packer
“We
must remember that God will never drag us along the path of true-hearted
discipleship. This would greatly lack the moral excellency which characterizes
all the ways of God. He does not drag, but draws us along the path which leads
to ineffable blessedness in Himself; and if we do see that it is for our real
advantage to break through all the barriers of nature, in order to respond to
Gods’ call, we forsake our own mercies. But alas! Our hearts little enter into
this. We begin to calculate about the sacrifices, the hindrances, and the
difficulties, instead of bounding along the path, in eagerness of soul, as
knowing and loving the One whose call has sounded in our ears”. C H Macintosh
Next,
Scripture tells us these disciples were moved to worship by His
appearance. Of course they were! They bestowed upon Him the divine honor due
Him. To be sure, those who encounter the
Lord Jesus with the eyes of faith fall prostrate in worship. He is worthy to receive all honor and glory.
“We
are saved to worship God. All that
Christ has done for us in the past and all that He is doing now leads to this
one end.” A.W. Tozer
“We
should dedicate ourselves to becoming in this life the most perfect worshipers
of God we can possibly be.” Brother Lawrence
We
also discover in our verses that some doubted.
Doubting is not bad if it causes us to delve deeper in seeking the
Truth. Even among those worshipping
Christ some doubted. The faith of those
who are sincere may be weak and wavering.
It leads to Jesus’ honor that some of His guys doubted prior to belief
as it could not have been said about them that they had been too eager to
believe and therefore willing to be deceived.
They first questioned, proved all things and then held fast to what was
true when they found it to be so.
21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 1
Thess 5:21 (NIV)
What I
glean from this:
· Jesus
sends forth showers of blessings as I seek His presence in obedience.
· All of God’s
commandments are for my good and His glory.
· I am saved
to worship. He is worthy.
