John 21:14-19.

'Do you Love Me?'

The scene after the Resurrection,by the lake shore. A question out of place perhaps? Why did Jesus single out Peter? Perhaps, Peter's mind was heavy after recent events-the betrayal. Three times he betrayed his Lord. Jesus asked him three times, 'Do you Love Me?'. How would you feel, if you were Peter? How many times have we denied the Lord in our own hearts? Peter felt uncomfortable, perhaps embarassed. He does not remind us of our failures, nor does He embarrass us, but He knows that we love Him. He knew of Peter's love for Him, in spite of his denial. I believe the Lord wanted to focus Peter's mind, from a stark denial and guilt, to a love with a proper focus.

Remember how Peter wanted not only his feet washed but also his body. The Lord wanted Peter's mind focused again properly. He does the same to us.

'Feed My sheep'. If you love Me, love My people also, care for them, 1John 4:10-11. To feed sheep

involves time,energy,care,sacrifice. God's workers and servants are not excluded, they are His sheep too. Sheep are valuable. We look after them so that they do not perish. Care for the sheep matters a lot to the Great Shepherd. Sheep know their shepherd, hear his voice and respond.

John 20:19-29.

Events after the Resurrection. They bring into the open three human states. Fear, Peace, Unbelief.

The followers of Jesus, in spite of their brave words before the Cross, they find themselves hiding in 

Jerusalem and Bethany for-'the fear of the Jews'. When the Master was with them they were bold and couragous. After He had gone, fear gripped their hearts. Fear makes people disloyal. In Pro.29:25 we read that, 'The fear of man brings a snare, but in John 4:18 we read ' Perfect love casts out fear'.

It was the presence of Jesus that drove fear out of their hearts and gave them confidence.

They were troubled and shaken by recent events and they needed Peace in their hearts. In Is.57 we read, ' There is no peace says the Lord to the wicked'.

As believers we cannot function properly when our hearts are full of turmoil and insecurity. The ungodly world is marked by a lack of Peace but Jesus is our Peace.

We wonder why unbelief, especially Thomas, filled their hearts. In spite of many wonders and signs we witness unbelief grips our hearts.

However, Notice the way Jesus dealt with Thomas. No harsh words but a gentle loving rebuke. The result. a surrender at His feet. We have a choice at present. A voluntary surrender at His feet and acknowledge Him as Lord and God or face Him one day as Judge.

The ROAD TO EMMAUS Luk.24:13-35.

One of the most delightful,puzzling stories of that first Easter.

Emmaus, About 12 km from Jerusalem, speaks of our earthly walk with all its problems and confusion.

Two disciples-Cleopas and another whose identidy is not disclosed, on their way to Emmaus on Resurrection afternoon. Nine other disciples are hiding in Jerusalem and Bethany. They are typical of Jesu's followers through the ages, preoccupied with events and dejected. Their eyes were held, i.e. could not recognize Jesus-sleepy Christians. Nothing different in Jesus's appearance, though in a resurrected body.

Jesus drew near and spent time with them. God is very busy but finds time to spent with us. Jesus explained the Scriptures to them about himself. The problem with the two disciples was their vision

not Jesus, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We may follow Christ and His teaching but lack that intimate relationship. Remember the five foolish virgins?

They were preoccupied with the events of the days, which obscured their vision. Even a clean cloth can do that.

Abide with us. An invitation that brought deliverance from their blindness. He is the Bread of Life. As I open His Word Christ becomes manifest to us. A Resurrection     story that those disciples never forgot, and for us too.

The Veil Matt.27:50-53

One of the least noticed incidents at that first Easter but of most importance.

Made of fine linen-representing the Holiness and righteousness of Christ-Ex.26:31-35.

It represented protection to the inner room where God's Throne was. As such, represents Christ in His sinless, perfect humanity. It points to the body of Christ. It was both a way and a barrier to the Holy of Holies-the Ark and the Mercy Seat.Once a year the High Priest entered with the blood of the sacrifice,but nobody else. For a person to meet God, had to keep God's unbroken standards, but the Mercy Seat spoke that God would extend mercy if one came by the Blood. Christ's life reveals the standard one must reach if he is to meet God. The Cherubim on the Veil spoke that man should stay away from God's holiness-Gen.3:24.

The man and the woman were denied access to the Tree of life. Christ on earth revealed the impossibility of any approach to God unless sin was dealt with and became holy-like Christ.

It was not the beauty of the Veil or Christ's life that makes Salvation possible.

The tearing was God's work, torn in two, not punctured. Once a barrier, now a gateway. Christ completely satisfied God's standards and man was reconciled. By giving His body on the Cross He made access into the presence of God available for all, Heb.10:19-20.

The torn Veil speaks, that every human being can have access to the inner court and God's presence who comes by the blood of Christ- Redemption through the Blood of the Cross.