The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king
Who wanted to settle accounts with His servants!
Matthew 18:23
After Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either (Mark 16:12-13).
Paul wrote: What has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel (Phil. 1:12). Jesus traveled throughout the region teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, while healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people (Matthew 4:23 AMP).
Jesus said to those Jewish leaders and the soldiers who came for Him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this is your hour – when darkness reigns,” Luke 22:52-53.
The disciples traveled and were taught by Jesus. The Jewish leaders followed Him paying close attention because they wanted to condemn Him. No one understood. If the rulers of that age had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8).
The people thought, when that stone was secured, Jesus was sealed in that tomb for good. But instead, it was the beginning of what was spoken through the prophet Joel: “I will pour out My Spirit upon all mankind,” Acts 2:16 AMP. Though Jesus set forth the truth plainly the Gospel was veiled, for the god of this age blinded the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:2-3a).
That hour when darkness seemed to reign as evil came against the Lord, those who mocked the King of the Jews, and those who mourned could never have imagined God meant this for good, to bring about what has been occurring throughout the world, the salvation of many people (Genesis 50:20-21 NKJV).
Those men who walked and talked and ate with Jesus those three years allowed fear to become bigger than their faith. However, when the veil was removed, and the image of God emerged in the light of the Gospel – in the Good News about the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4 NCV) they came to know through experience an entirely different fear. The reverent and worshipful and awe-inspiring fear of the Lord.
They discovered the beginning and the principal and the choice part of knowledge, its starting point and its essence (AMP), is to trust and respect, honor and obey and reverence the Lord! (Proverbs 1:7 TLB).
The reverent fear of the Lord is pure,
Enduring forever!
God’s Word is perfect!
The Truth protects us, makes us wise,
And gives us joy and light!
The judgments of the Lord are right and true,
Altogether righteous and just!
Psalm 19:7-9