After Jesus rose, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Jesus had healed Mary of her demon possession. Now she would tell those who followed Jesus that she had seen him and that he was alive. They were all mourning and weeping. When they heard the news, they did not believe. Later Jesus appeared to two of his followers as they were walking in the country. They also reported this to the rest of the disciples, but again they did not believe. Finally, Jesus met the Eleven personally. He rebuked their stubborn refusal to believe. Jesus came to confront unbelief, for it is sin. Jesus has risen. It is not time to dwell in unbelief, but in his resurrection.

Next Jesus commanded these same disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." They struggled with their unbelief, but Jesus appointed them to struggle in a new way as gospel messengers. They were called to be life givers, to call all creation out of unbelief and into life. The risen Jesus promised to be with them in their mission by the signs that accompanied them, but after he spoke with them he was taken up into heaven. They would preach the gospel everywhere, and the Lord has been using their gospel preaching to this day.


Application: Lord, thank you for Jesus, who died for my unbelief. Use me as a gospel servant and life giver in these times.
One Word: Preach the gospel to all creation