IN GOD WE TRUST part II

IN GOD WE TRUST part II

Last month’s BLOG discusses an important national holiday for all Americans; the Fourth of July ~ Independence Day.

IN GOD WE TRUST is the title and it brings me to part two this month.  Part two because although IN GOD WE TRUST might be a national sentiment, it is more important for individuals to make or confirm a relationship with God for eternities sake. Now is the season ~ the midst of the Christian calendar between Christmas and Easter, two of the most significant times in the life of followers of Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God.

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and Easter celebrates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  This BLOG recalls the time Jesus spent with his disciples following his resurrection from the dead.  This is the ending of His earthly ministry and the concluding time with His disciples.  It is from “The Story of THE MESSIAH” story adaptation by my friend, the late Max Freimark Rondoni.

“In the evening of the first day of the week, the disciples were together in a room with the doors shut. They were afraid of the religious leaders. During that evening, Jesus suddenly appeared to them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ The disciples were afraid that they were seeing a ghost, but Jesus reassured them. The disciples became silent, waiting for the next moments.

They arranged themselves in a circle round the Lord. Jesus stretched out his hands, slowly turning his body as the men gazed at his hands. The memory of the Lord hanging on that cross filled their minds as they looked at the nail prints in his hands. Then, Jesus opened his garment and turned his body as the disciples, one by one, looked at the wound in his side where the Roman guard had thrust his spear.

After showing the disciples his wounds, Jesus permitted them to come to him, to touch him, to see that he was truly flesh and bone. It seemed so unreal. But slowly, each disciple realized that it was really Jesus. He was truly raised from the dead! As the joy increased, Jesus shared the meal of boiled fish with them.

There was yet so much for the disciples to understand. These men were going to be entrusted with bringing the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to the world. Jesus talked with the disciples, revealing the scriptures to them and carefully explaining what they were to do in proclaiming the message.

Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.’ Then Jesus breathed on the disciples, saying to each one, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’

Each disciple stood quietly as Jesus went up to each of them. Looking into the disciple’s eyes and placing his hands on the shoulders, Jesus pulled the disciple closer and breathed on him. None of them could find words to describe this experience. But something happened. They each were so different, still themselves but different. They would soon learn what it meant to have the Holy Spirit within them. There was a power that could not be explained. This power would enable the disciples to proclaim the ‘Good News’ and to face physical death without fear.

Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them. When Thomas saw the disciples again, they told him that they had seen the Lord, but Thomas refused to believe them.

‘When I see the nail prints in his hands,’ said Thomas, ‘and put my hand into the wound in his side, then I will believe you.’

Eight days later, all of the disciples were together again, including Thomas. The doors of the room were shut, but Jesus suddenly appeared and greeted them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. Thomas drew back in fear. His words of unbelief that had seemed so bold now embarrassed him.

Jesus said to him, Thomas, reach out with your fingers; touch the nail prints in my hands. Take you hand; put your hand into my side. ‘Do not doubt, but believe.’ Thomas spoke quickly, almost interrupting Jesus, ‘Oh, my Lord and my God!’

Jesus stood before Thomas for a few moments and then he said, ‘Thomas, you believe because you have seen me. There is a special blessing for those who do not see me, and yet they believe.’”

There you have it, the reality of what IN GOD WE TRUST means to every believer in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. This special blessing Jesus spoke of is available to everyone who puts their faith in Him, the son of God. It is more important for you for all eternity to enjoy this faith in God than to have a national identity saying IN GOD WE TRUST.  

RELATED BIBLE VERSES:
“So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”  MARK 16:19,20

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, (Jesus) Christ died for us.” ROMANS 5:8

“For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Jesus Christ.”  ROMANS 6:10,11

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe shall be condemned.”  MARK 16:16

 

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