Seeing Angels?
Yesterday, I was able to facilitate one of my favorite Bible studies so far. It was a study over John 20-21 - the conclusion to an almost year-long study over this particular Gospel. Not only was this particular study my favorite because of the theme - the resurrection of Jesus. It was also my favorite because of the thought process.
It began with a contrast of how the risen Christ reacted to Mary Magdalene as opposed to how He reacted to the disciples, including Thomas. We read that when Peter reached the empty tomb, he ran inside and found the burial cloth that had wrapped Jesus' body after His crucifixion. However, when Mary Magdalene peered into the tomb, she saw two angels. Why the difference?
We also read that when Mary realized the man to whom she was speaking was, indeed, Jesus, who had risen from the dead; she clung to Him. He, however, told her to let go. However, when He later appeared to Thomas, who had refused to believe accounts of His resurrection without seeing proof; He offered that proof. He allowed Thomas to touch the crucifixion marks in His body to show He had, indeed, risen from the dead. Why would He not allow Mary, overcome with what I'm sure were all types of emotions, to cling to Him even for a moment; but He did allow Thomas, who was skeptical, to touch Him?
I, personally, believe these differences illustrate what is found throughout the Bible - that is that God relates to each and every person differently. I do not believe Peter would have been ready to see angels when he ran into the tomb. Mary Magdalene, however, was ready. I also believe Mary was ready to let go. She had no doubt that Jesus had risen from the dead. Thomas, on the other hand, was maybe a little hardened. He wasn't ready to believe.
I mentioned during our study yesterday that we see such examples throughout the Bible. One of my favorite comparisons if that of King Solomon and Queen Esther. Whether we realize it or not, both of these royal people were in similar circumstances. King Solomon had pagan wives. Queen Esther had a pagan husband. Solomon allowed his wives to sway him away from God. Esther played a part in God's plan - a part that saved her people from extinction, because of her marriage.
No where in the Bible do we see God relating to every person the same way. He does not hold people to the same standards at times. He reacts to different people in different ways.
What a lesson for us to learn today. So often, we hold all people to a system of absolutes that we believe are based upon the Bible instead of relating to people by following the example of God Himself. We are so often like Peter. When Jesus gently told Peter that he would be crucified because of his testimony, Peter's reaction was "What about him," referring to John. I love Jesus' response: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:22b, NIV).
Perhaps this is the lesson we all should learn. We should allow God to be God. We should allow Him to deal with people how He sees fit, without our interference. We should stop vilifying others as sinners while promoting ourselves to sainthood. How God deals with each of us is His business.
It began with a contrast of how the risen Christ reacted to Mary Magdalene as opposed to how He reacted to the disciples, including Thomas. We read that when Peter reached the empty tomb, he ran inside and found the burial cloth that had wrapped Jesus' body after His crucifixion. However, when Mary Magdalene peered into the tomb, she saw two angels. Why the difference?
We also read that when Mary realized the man to whom she was speaking was, indeed, Jesus, who had risen from the dead; she clung to Him. He, however, told her to let go. However, when He later appeared to Thomas, who had refused to believe accounts of His resurrection without seeing proof; He offered that proof. He allowed Thomas to touch the crucifixion marks in His body to show He had, indeed, risen from the dead. Why would He not allow Mary, overcome with what I'm sure were all types of emotions, to cling to Him even for a moment; but He did allow Thomas, who was skeptical, to touch Him?
I, personally, believe these differences illustrate what is found throughout the Bible - that is that God relates to each and every person differently. I do not believe Peter would have been ready to see angels when he ran into the tomb. Mary Magdalene, however, was ready. I also believe Mary was ready to let go. She had no doubt that Jesus had risen from the dead. Thomas, on the other hand, was maybe a little hardened. He wasn't ready to believe.
I mentioned during our study yesterday that we see such examples throughout the Bible. One of my favorite comparisons if that of King Solomon and Queen Esther. Whether we realize it or not, both of these royal people were in similar circumstances. King Solomon had pagan wives. Queen Esther had a pagan husband. Solomon allowed his wives to sway him away from God. Esther played a part in God's plan - a part that saved her people from extinction, because of her marriage.
No where in the Bible do we see God relating to every person the same way. He does not hold people to the same standards at times. He reacts to different people in different ways.
What a lesson for us to learn today. So often, we hold all people to a system of absolutes that we believe are based upon the Bible instead of relating to people by following the example of God Himself. We are so often like Peter. When Jesus gently told Peter that he would be crucified because of his testimony, Peter's reaction was "What about him," referring to John. I love Jesus' response: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:22b, NIV).
Perhaps this is the lesson we all should learn. We should allow God to be God. We should allow Him to deal with people how He sees fit, without our interference. We should stop vilifying others as sinners while promoting ourselves to sainthood. How God deals with each of us is His business.
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