Jesus had called twelve apostles, who passed with him through persecution and many sufferings, and witnessed his miracles. One of them betrayed him and hanged himself hopelessly when he recognized that he was the reason for the death of the Son of God, crying out: “I have shed innocent blood.” His repentance and testimony were late.
Hell extorted its demon-possessed. He did not open himself completely to Jesus, but hated him, and took vengeance on him when he blamed him before everyone. He betrayed him with a kiss.
It was Sunday evening, when Jesus came into the closed room without opening a door or a window. He suddenly appeared in their midst, and they were greatly afraid. His presence reproved them for their unbelief. His holiness uncovered their impurity, their fear, and their plans for their own future.
Probably they thought of returning to their boats and nets that they might fish once again, but they were afraid of the fanatic professors of religion who had persecuted them as lost ones.
Jesus reproved them and pricked their hearts and minds for their confused state. He bore their sins on the cross, and forgave them their lying, faults, thefts, and lusts. Now, he saw the growth of the mother of all sins that is unbelief in the hearts of his followers.
Therefore, he found himself obliged not to speak to them with soft love, but to reprove them for their belief in the earthly truth, rather than their trust in his divine promises. He condemned them with his words for they did not submit to the testimony of those who were certain of his resurrection.
He revealed himself to women and men. But the apostles denied the truth because they did not experience it personally. In such denial, they made those who had simple faith liars.
One of the reasons for their unbelief was their slow hard heart. They filled their subconscious with certain customs and doctrines, and mixed the principles of Jesus with their personal thoughts. Jesus asks us to change our minds, deny our own philosophy, hear his words unconditionally, and obey his creative word immediately. Blessed is the man who hears the words of Jesus, understands them, accepts them, believes in them, keeps them, and acts accordingly.
The Holy Spirit wants to move us and to free us from self-love that we may love Christ completely over our love to our parents, relatives, friends, and customs, and commit ourselves completely to the Son of God that he may make of us as he wills.
Do you know Jesus’ will concerning your life? He wills to create a new heart in you and to renew a steadfast spirit within you, for your old heart is hard, and your mind is corrupt. The resurrection of Christ guides you to the new life with God. Your Lord gives you a new will, and a divine understanding. He also gives you the power to carry out his will.
The Easter Day does not only mean our joy in him who was raised from the dead, but also repentance, and new thought out of the new heart to share truly in the resurrection of Christ. The Lord reproved his disciples that he might save them. He stripped them off that he might clothe them with his life.
Do you believe in the essence of the living Christ? Did you recognize his humility even to death as the only way leading all men to God? Did you give up your life as eternal possession to him who was raised from the dead? Did you want to share in the victory of resurrection? Then pray with us the following commitment: