*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*THE PASSION OF CHRIST (1)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Matthew 28:7 *And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Jesus' passion drove Him to Jerusalem to die. He rose, going ahead of His disciples to Galilee in order to revive Jerusalem.
Matthew 26:32 *But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
After Jesus rose, He went ahead of the disciples to Galilee.
Yesterday as Easter Monday is marked to commemorate Galilee.
As He said, He would rise from the dead, so also He told them He would go before them to Galilee.
The disciples obeyed.
Matthew 28:16 says, *"Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.*
What are the significances of Galilee?
In looking at the significance of Jesus' decision to meet His disciples at Galilee, we will see the emergence of Jerusalem and its place in history today.
We will mention three reasons today.
First, the meeting in Galilee was the first appearance of the risen Lord to His disciples, Matt 26:32.
Second, Jesus told them the shepherd would be smitten and the sheep scattered, Zech 13:7.
Galilee was now a place to reunite and bring all the disciples together again, in the interest of peace and away from turbulent Jerusalem and other cities.
Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem, Matt 17:22. There the shepherd was smitten and the sheep scattered.
There Peter followed Jesus *"....and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest...."*, John 18:15.
Who this disciple was was not made known.
It is assumed it was Judas whom the high priest knew with other conspirators.
John was, however, clearly known as the only disciple at the cross with Jesus, John 19:26.
So, Jesus chose Galilee, as a place He considered peaceful for a reunion. All the other disciples except Judas would be with Him in Galilee and there in Galilee, a reformation and a renewed commission were pronounced, Acts 1:8
Third, in Galilee, Jerusalem was given stature.
The vision to return, renew, and establish Jerusalem took place. Jerusalem had faced much tribulation, so He gathered them in Galilee that they might return to Jerusalem with the Spirit's strength to face the tribulation and win the uttermost part of the world starting from Jerusalem, Acts 1:4, 12.
The world's revival must begin at Jerusalem in spite of its many devastation, Acts 1:8 and they did return to Jerusalem, Acts 1:12. Matt 23:37.
Paul said in Rom 15:19 *Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.*
Jesus' passion for Jerusalem outweighed His sufferings just like for everyone. He brought Jerusalem back on its feet.
Jerusalem, a holy city shall be called *"......Sought out, A city not forsaken."*, Isaiah 62:12.
*Remorse corner.*
Jesus' declaration of power starting from Jerusalem conveyed the city the spiritual Kingdom as it is today.
*Call to word action.*
Jerusalem will be the name behind the New Jerusalem and this will be the final abode of souls redeemed by Christ.
Revelation 21:2 *And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
In spite of the death that awaited Him, Jesus's looked beyond His sufferings in Jerusalem. He endured Jerusalem (Matt 17:22, 23, 20: 17-19, 28), in order to place Jerusalem in its rightful place in Kingdom history.
*Prayer.*
LORD, I thank You for Jesus, in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
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