A collection of daily Bible commentaries from GoServ Global co-FOunder, Terry Baxter
Post Resurrection Appearances of Jesus
September 19, 2025
Post Resurrection Appearances of Jesus: Luke 24:31-35
“31) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32) They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33) And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34) saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35) They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:31-35
As the resurrected Jesus was with them, their hearts burned as He taught them from the Old Testament Scriptures, but they did not recognize Him. God’s Word has a way of burning in our hearts. It is the inner validation of truth.
As soon as they recognized Him, Jesus vanished from their midst. It has the idea of “He disappeared.” This often happened related to the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament. When his mission was completed, he would depart.
This shows something of the supernatural nature of Jesus after His resurrection. He suddenly appeared to them, sometimes in rooms with the doors and windows closed. (See Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-37, John 20:19)
Each time His mission was the same. He moved them from doubt to belief, from fear to faith, and from distraction to focus. This happened many times between His resurrection and ascension. (See Acts 1:3-11) After His ascension, He would not appear that way again until His second coming.
His primary goal was to prepare them for the giving of the Holy Spirit and commission them to carry the gospel to the whole world.
Following His ascension, He no longer appears to people bodily the same way. Even during the conversion of Saul, it was a different kind of appearance. (See Acts 9:1-9) He appeared in glorious light.
In His first epistle, Peter was careful to note that Jesus does not appear to people bodily anymore. (1 Peter 1:8) I am not talking about dreams and visions. I am talking about physical appearances. There is a huge difference. Even the book of Revelation was a vision given by an angel to the Apostle John.
I give this as a biblical warning. Many have been led astray by supposed physical appearances of Jesus. He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father. The Holy Spirit is now the teacher bringing revelation to believers in this present age. Do not be deceived. Satan can wear many disguises. (See 2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
Base your faith and doctrine on the solid Word of God and not supposed bodily appearances of Jesus. He will not appear again until He returns in His glory.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“31) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32) They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33) And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34) saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35) They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:31-35
As the resurrected Jesus was with them, their hearts burned as He taught them from the Old Testament Scriptures, but they did not recognize Him. God’s Word has a way of burning in our hearts. It is the inner validation of truth.
As soon as they recognized Him, Jesus vanished from their midst. It has the idea of “He disappeared.” This often happened related to the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament. When his mission was completed, he would depart.
This shows something of the supernatural nature of Jesus after His resurrection. He suddenly appeared to them, sometimes in rooms with the doors and windows closed. (See Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-37, John 20:19)
Each time His mission was the same. He moved them from doubt to belief, from fear to faith, and from distraction to focus. This happened many times between His resurrection and ascension. (See Acts 1:3-11) After His ascension, He would not appear that way again until His second coming.
His primary goal was to prepare them for the giving of the Holy Spirit and commission them to carry the gospel to the whole world.
Following His ascension, He no longer appears to people bodily the same way. Even during the conversion of Saul, it was a different kind of appearance. (See Acts 9:1-9) He appeared in glorious light.
In His first epistle, Peter was careful to note that Jesus does not appear to people bodily anymore. (1 Peter 1:8) I am not talking about dreams and visions. I am talking about physical appearances. There is a huge difference. Even the book of Revelation was a vision given by an angel to the Apostle John.
I give this as a biblical warning. Many have been led astray by supposed physical appearances of Jesus. He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father. The Holy Spirit is now the teacher bringing revelation to believers in this present age. Do not be deceived. Satan can wear many disguises. (See 2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
Base your faith and doctrine on the solid Word of God and not supposed bodily appearances of Jesus. He will not appear again until He returns in His glory.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Their Eyes were Opened
September 18, 2025
Their Eyes were Opened: Luke 24:28-31
“28) And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29) But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30) When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.” Luke 24:28-31
This is an intriguing part of the story. Because it was late, they urged Jesus to stay with them. They were most likely staying at an inn.
As they reclined at table to eat, Jesus took the bread and blessed it. Something about this act opened their eyes and they recognized Him. Immediately, He vanished from their midst.
The reader is now left with questions. What was it about blessing the bread opened their eyes? Was it related to the bread or the way He blessed it? Maybe it was the culmination of the whole venture of spending the day with Jesus. Let’s consider come possible answers.
We are tempted to point to the Passover meal and Jesus blessing the wine and the bread. The problem with that understanding is neither of these two men were present at the Passover meal. They were not of the twelve apostles.
The next most reasonable connection relates to Him feeding the multitudes. (See Mathew 14:19; 15:36). With both the five thousand and the four thousand, the way He took charge of the meal and blessed the bread was His unique brand. Mathew says He looked up to heaven while blessing it.
These men may have been present for those miracles. If that is the case, then the way He prayed gave Him away. Isn’t that an interesting thought? Does the way you pray give you away?
A third possibility might point back to John 6:26-51 and His discussion with the Pharisees about being the bread of life. He was like manna from Heaven. He was living bread. At a time when these two men were focused on death, Jesus focused on life.
As soon as they recognized Him, He vanished from their midst. Why?
They had just become believers in His true identity. Their eyes were opened. They now had a mission to go and tell others.
The god of this world works hard to keep people blind to the gospel. (See 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). God works to open blind eyes.
When the eyes are opened and faith in Jesus begins, it is like the first big domino is tipped over. It starts a chain reaction. It begins to change people. It is always wonderful to behold. Have your eyes been opened to believe in Jesus?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“28) And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29) But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30) When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.” Luke 24:28-31
This is an intriguing part of the story. Because it was late, they urged Jesus to stay with them. They were most likely staying at an inn.
As they reclined at table to eat, Jesus took the bread and blessed it. Something about this act opened their eyes and they recognized Him. Immediately, He vanished from their midst.
The reader is now left with questions. What was it about blessing the bread opened their eyes? Was it related to the bread or the way He blessed it? Maybe it was the culmination of the whole venture of spending the day with Jesus. Let’s consider come possible answers.
We are tempted to point to the Passover meal and Jesus blessing the wine and the bread. The problem with that understanding is neither of these two men were present at the Passover meal. They were not of the twelve apostles.
The next most reasonable connection relates to Him feeding the multitudes. (See Mathew 14:19; 15:36). With both the five thousand and the four thousand, the way He took charge of the meal and blessed the bread was His unique brand. Mathew says He looked up to heaven while blessing it.
These men may have been present for those miracles. If that is the case, then the way He prayed gave Him away. Isn’t that an interesting thought? Does the way you pray give you away?
A third possibility might point back to John 6:26-51 and His discussion with the Pharisees about being the bread of life. He was like manna from Heaven. He was living bread. At a time when these two men were focused on death, Jesus focused on life.
As soon as they recognized Him, He vanished from their midst. Why?
They had just become believers in His true identity. Their eyes were opened. They now had a mission to go and tell others.
The god of this world works hard to keep people blind to the gospel. (See 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). God works to open blind eyes.
When the eyes are opened and faith in Jesus begins, it is like the first big domino is tipped over. It starts a chain reaction. It begins to change people. It is always wonderful to behold. Have your eyes been opened to believe in Jesus?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Slow of Heart
September 17, 2025
Slow of Heart: Luke 24:25-27
“25) And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26) Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27) Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:25-27
I cannot labor this point to long; all of Scripture is important. Jesus was a teacher. His primary text was the Old Testament. Time and again during His public ministry, He open the scrolls and shared where they talked about Him.
Their eyes were closed because of unbelief. At the very least, you need to believe in everything the Old Testament prophets said about the coming Messiah.
Everything from His birth, the ministry of John the Baptist, the description of the miracle filled ministry of Jesus, His healing people, His teaching in parables, His scourging, the crucifixion, His descent into the lower parts of the earth, His resurrection, His glorification, His pouring out the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were all foretold in the Old Testament including God doing signs and wonders.
What was the problem? Their eyes and hearts were closed. They failed to understand that the God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. He has not changed.
If you disbelieve the stories of God working throughout the Old Testament, you will disbelieve the miracles, teachings and power of Jesus as recorded in the gospels. If you disbelieve the gospels, you will disbelieve the powerful working of the of the Holy Spirit as recorded in the book of Acts and in the early church. If you disbelieve the book of Acts, you will never embrace or enter into the authority, the power or the fulness of God promised to the church in the epistles.
Notice, Jesus said they were “slow of heart to believe.” Don’t be slow of heart to believe.
Study, believe, embrace and live out everything the Bible teaches about being born again. Step into your position “in Christ.” Walk in your authority “in Christ.” Embrace the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit. Put off your old self, renew your mind through the word, and put on your new self.
As you study the New Testament, you need to believe, claim, apply, obey, live out, enter into, put on, act on and walk in everything God promises you in Christ. Stop being slow to believe.
Read slowing through every chapter of the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart to the mysteries of Christ. Enter into the promised land of your position in Christ as a believer and the fulness of the Holy Spirit. Then get up and go live it out in your daily life and prepare to experience God in ways you never thought possible.
Jesus was actually stronger in what He said to them in this text. He said; “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” That pretty much describes the western church today! I am so tired of foolish and unbelieving seminary professors, Bible college teachers, pastors and so called “theologians.”
Paul summarized it well in 1 Corinthians 4:19-20. The kingdom of God is not empty words but power. If there is no power, there is a problem of unbelief.
Western church leaders need to stop spreading the lie that “God no longer works that way.” The problem is not with God. The problem is with their own foolish and unbelieving hearts. You either believe and embrace it all, or you really don’t believe it at all!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“25) And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26) Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27) Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:25-27
I cannot labor this point to long; all of Scripture is important. Jesus was a teacher. His primary text was the Old Testament. Time and again during His public ministry, He open the scrolls and shared where they talked about Him.
Their eyes were closed because of unbelief. At the very least, you need to believe in everything the Old Testament prophets said about the coming Messiah.
Everything from His birth, the ministry of John the Baptist, the description of the miracle filled ministry of Jesus, His healing people, His teaching in parables, His scourging, the crucifixion, His descent into the lower parts of the earth, His resurrection, His glorification, His pouring out the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were all foretold in the Old Testament including God doing signs and wonders.
What was the problem? Their eyes and hearts were closed. They failed to understand that the God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. He has not changed.
If you disbelieve the stories of God working throughout the Old Testament, you will disbelieve the miracles, teachings and power of Jesus as recorded in the gospels. If you disbelieve the gospels, you will disbelieve the powerful working of the of the Holy Spirit as recorded in the book of Acts and in the early church. If you disbelieve the book of Acts, you will never embrace or enter into the authority, the power or the fulness of God promised to the church in the epistles.
Notice, Jesus said they were “slow of heart to believe.” Don’t be slow of heart to believe.
Study, believe, embrace and live out everything the Bible teaches about being born again. Step into your position “in Christ.” Walk in your authority “in Christ.” Embrace the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit. Put off your old self, renew your mind through the word, and put on your new self.
As you study the New Testament, you need to believe, claim, apply, obey, live out, enter into, put on, act on and walk in everything God promises you in Christ. Stop being slow to believe.
Read slowing through every chapter of the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart to the mysteries of Christ. Enter into the promised land of your position in Christ as a believer and the fulness of the Holy Spirit. Then get up and go live it out in your daily life and prepare to experience God in ways you never thought possible.
Jesus was actually stronger in what He said to them in this text. He said; “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” That pretty much describes the western church today! I am so tired of foolish and unbelieving seminary professors, Bible college teachers, pastors and so called “theologians.”
Paul summarized it well in 1 Corinthians 4:19-20. The kingdom of God is not empty words but power. If there is no power, there is a problem of unbelief.
Western church leaders need to stop spreading the lie that “God no longer works that way.” The problem is not with God. The problem is with their own foolish and unbelieving hearts. You either believe and embrace it all, or you really don’t believe it at all!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Jesus Explained The Scriptures to Them
September 16, 2025
Jesus Explained the Scriptures to Them: Luke 24:13-27
“13) And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14) And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15) While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16) But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.” Luke 24:13-16
This story occupies much of Luke chapter twenty-four. It extends all the way down to verse thirty-five.
It shows that the news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ captured many conversations. We do not know how many post resurrection appearances there were altogether. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul mentioned that at one point Jesus appeared to a gathering of more than five hundred at one time. There were many witnesses of the resurrected Christ.
What is interesting about this story in Luke twenty four, is that Jesus spent time opening their minds to understand the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. He touched on everything from the writings of Moses to the major and minor prophets. What an extensive study!
The whole Old Testament points to Jesus. He is seen in types, shadows, the layout of the tabernacle and temple, the holidays, festivals, the sacrifices and the priesthood itself. The prophets have direct prophesies about Him. He is also seen in many of the Psalms.
Keep the time frame in mind, this story on the road to Emmaus happened before his assertion and the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus at heart is a teacher of the Word. The Holy Spirit stepped into this role after Pentecost. (John 16:12-13; 1 John 3:27)
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Jesus. They are one and the same yet separate and distinct from each other. Jesus stayed in this teaching role right up to His ascension. (See Acts 1:3-11)
We will look into this context of Luke twenty-four more in the next section, but let me stress an important point; everything about your Christian life must be built on the solid foundation of the Word of God. The whole Bible is important. The whole Bible unpacks the mysteries and glories of Christ. Study the whole Bible.
The Bible is much more than just a book. The eyes of the natural man will be closed to the mysteries of Christ contained in the Bible apart from the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. (Study 2 Corinthians 3:12-18) Ask God to give a spirit of wisdom and revelation into the knowledge of Christ. (Ephesians 1:17-18)
Base your experience on the Bible, but expect to experience everything promised in the Bible. Don’t limit God. Don’t put Him in a box of your understanding or denominational dogma. The whole Bible defines the parameters of truth. Take hold of everything promised to you in the Scriptures. (See 2 Peter 1:2-4)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“13) And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14) And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15) While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16) But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.” Luke 24:13-16
This story occupies much of Luke chapter twenty-four. It extends all the way down to verse thirty-five.
It shows that the news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ captured many conversations. We do not know how many post resurrection appearances there were altogether. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul mentioned that at one point Jesus appeared to a gathering of more than five hundred at one time. There were many witnesses of the resurrected Christ.
What is interesting about this story in Luke twenty four, is that Jesus spent time opening their minds to understand the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. He touched on everything from the writings of Moses to the major and minor prophets. What an extensive study!
The whole Old Testament points to Jesus. He is seen in types, shadows, the layout of the tabernacle and temple, the holidays, festivals, the sacrifices and the priesthood itself. The prophets have direct prophesies about Him. He is also seen in many of the Psalms.
Keep the time frame in mind, this story on the road to Emmaus happened before his assertion and the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus at heart is a teacher of the Word. The Holy Spirit stepped into this role after Pentecost. (John 16:12-13; 1 John 3:27)
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Jesus. They are one and the same yet separate and distinct from each other. Jesus stayed in this teaching role right up to His ascension. (See Acts 1:3-11)
We will look into this context of Luke twenty-four more in the next section, but let me stress an important point; everything about your Christian life must be built on the solid foundation of the Word of God. The whole Bible is important. The whole Bible unpacks the mysteries and glories of Christ. Study the whole Bible.
The Bible is much more than just a book. The eyes of the natural man will be closed to the mysteries of Christ contained in the Bible apart from the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. (Study 2 Corinthians 3:12-18) Ask God to give a spirit of wisdom and revelation into the knowledge of Christ. (Ephesians 1:17-18)
Base your experience on the Bible, but expect to experience everything promised in the Bible. Don’t limit God. Don’t put Him in a box of your understanding or denominational dogma. The whole Bible defines the parameters of truth. Take hold of everything promised to you in the Scriptures. (See 2 Peter 1:2-4)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
The Inner Wrestling was not Complete
September 15, 2025
The Inner Wrestling was not Complete: Luke 24:11-12
“11) But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12) But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he *saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.” Luke 24:11-12
I do not want to skip quickly over these verses. They capture something that the reader must ponder. Peter and the early disciples were wrestling with the fact of the resurrection.
When he first heard the report from the women, he was locked in disbelief. To his credit, yesterday I pointed out how he ran toward his doubts rather than away from them.
But notice, the inner wrestling was not resolved by merely looking into the empty tomb. The text says; “he went away to his home marveling at what had happened.”
Let me make an observation, it is ok to wrestle with the gospel. God can handle our questions, doubts, hurts and disappointments. It is better to wrestle through an issue to a solid conclusion than remain an agnostic.
At this point, Peter was wresting with the third part of the gospel. He had no doubts about the love of Christ, the death of Christ on the cross or His burial. He was wrestling with the resurrection.
Most people accept the death and burial of Christ, the wrestling comes with the resurrection. But it is the resurrection that contains the power for a new life.
That’s why the resurrection became the focal point of the book of Acts and many of the epistles. Apart from the resurrection, Christianity is just another religion. (See 1 Corinthians 15) Apart from the resurrection, Jesus Christ was just another man with a positive philosophy for living.
But the resurrection pushes everything to the next level. The resurrected Christ becomes the basis of new life for the born-again believer. That’s the theme of Roman’s 6-8.
But there is more. Belief in the full gospel sets the believer up to receive the promise of the Father. (Acts 1:3-8) Believing in the gospel without receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is rejecting the Promise of the Father and the baptizing work of Jesus Christ.
I held the promise of the Father at arms length for years. It was mostly because of controversy and confusion between churches. This was part of my inner wrestling. It was a long journey, but it is a necessary step in the Christian life.
Calvary and Pentecost were never intended to be separated. Belief in the resurrection opens the door for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The wrestling within Peter was not complete at the end of the four gospels. The conclusion came forty days later in the book of Acts. Something about Pentecost changed Peter and the others into new people. It transformed them.
What do these two verses in Luke tell us? It’s ok to wrestle with the gospel. It’s ok to wrestle with the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus foretold both before His death.
Take time to read John 14-17. In these chapters He talked at length about both His suffering on the cross and the coming promise of the Father. Do not settle for Calvary at the exclusion of Pentecost.
This is like buying a new car and never putting gas in the tank. It may look good, but it will never perform the way it was designed. It makes no sense buying a new car only to have a tow truck pull you around town. Just stop at a gas station and fill the tank!
So you might be wondering, “Is Terry and evangelical, charismatic or Pentecostal? The answer is: “I am a biblical Christian walking in the fulness of everything Jesus foretold and promised.” My wrestling lasted years, but to the glory of God, Jesus won! Midway through my journey I finally stopped at the gas station.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“11) But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12) But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he *saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.” Luke 24:11-12
I do not want to skip quickly over these verses. They capture something that the reader must ponder. Peter and the early disciples were wrestling with the fact of the resurrection.
When he first heard the report from the women, he was locked in disbelief. To his credit, yesterday I pointed out how he ran toward his doubts rather than away from them.
But notice, the inner wrestling was not resolved by merely looking into the empty tomb. The text says; “he went away to his home marveling at what had happened.”
Let me make an observation, it is ok to wrestle with the gospel. God can handle our questions, doubts, hurts and disappointments. It is better to wrestle through an issue to a solid conclusion than remain an agnostic.
At this point, Peter was wresting with the third part of the gospel. He had no doubts about the love of Christ, the death of Christ on the cross or His burial. He was wrestling with the resurrection.
Most people accept the death and burial of Christ, the wrestling comes with the resurrection. But it is the resurrection that contains the power for a new life.
That’s why the resurrection became the focal point of the book of Acts and many of the epistles. Apart from the resurrection, Christianity is just another religion. (See 1 Corinthians 15) Apart from the resurrection, Jesus Christ was just another man with a positive philosophy for living.
But the resurrection pushes everything to the next level. The resurrected Christ becomes the basis of new life for the born-again believer. That’s the theme of Roman’s 6-8.
But there is more. Belief in the full gospel sets the believer up to receive the promise of the Father. (Acts 1:3-8) Believing in the gospel without receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is rejecting the Promise of the Father and the baptizing work of Jesus Christ.
I held the promise of the Father at arms length for years. It was mostly because of controversy and confusion between churches. This was part of my inner wrestling. It was a long journey, but it is a necessary step in the Christian life.
Calvary and Pentecost were never intended to be separated. Belief in the resurrection opens the door for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The wrestling within Peter was not complete at the end of the four gospels. The conclusion came forty days later in the book of Acts. Something about Pentecost changed Peter and the others into new people. It transformed them.
What do these two verses in Luke tell us? It’s ok to wrestle with the gospel. It’s ok to wrestle with the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus foretold both before His death.
Take time to read John 14-17. In these chapters He talked at length about both His suffering on the cross and the coming promise of the Father. Do not settle for Calvary at the exclusion of Pentecost.
This is like buying a new car and never putting gas in the tank. It may look good, but it will never perform the way it was designed. It makes no sense buying a new car only to have a tow truck pull you around town. Just stop at a gas station and fill the tank!
So you might be wondering, “Is Terry and evangelical, charismatic or Pentecostal? The answer is: “I am a biblical Christian walking in the fulness of everything Jesus foretold and promised.” My wrestling lasted years, but to the glory of God, Jesus won! Midway through my journey I finally stopped at the gas station.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Get Up and Run Toward It!
September 14, 2025
Get Up and Run Toward It: Luke 24:11-12
“11) But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12) But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he *saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.” Luke 24:11-12
We now have a crisis of faith. The women reported the resurrection to the disciples, but the text says “they would not believe.”
There are many mysteries about God. There are many things in the Bible and the Christian life when you first hear, the natural response is to not believe.
According to Luke and also the gospel of John, most of those who heard just sat in unbelief. They were consumed by doubt. But Peter and John did something about it. They got up and ran toward the tomb.
There is a huge formula for the Christian life in their response. Doubts will come. You may wrestle with fear. There are many things the Bible talks about that are beyond our understanding. What is the proper response?
You get up and run toward it! You open your Bible and study everything about it. You talk to others who are seasoned with it. You face it head on and go after it!
If you fail to run toward it, you will become a critic. You will remain double minded. You will become an agnostic in that area. You will be paralyzed by fear. You will not grow beyond your doubt!
Over the years, I’ve applied this to many area’s in my Christian life. I ran toward the Holy Spirit and not away from Him. I studied every Scripture on healing and deliverance rather than hiding behind doubt. With great hesitance, I studied everything the Bible says about signs and wonders. Instead of rejecting spiritual gifts, I prayed, opened my Bible and started studying. God used it to start changing me. I had to switch theological camps.
In the process I’ve gone from being a skeptic to living and surfing on the wake of the supernatural. Instead of being a critic, I started walking and moving in the Spirit. Instead of remaining ignorant, I ran toward the subject.
Shortly my unbelief was replaced by faith. Deception was replaced by truth. Naturalism was replaced with Supernaturalism. Boredom was replaced by awe and worship. Unbelief fell away and I encounters God!
I’ve applied this principle to many area’s in my life. I tacked my fear of flying by getting my pilots license. I tackled my suspicion of politics by become a State Representative. I tackled my lack of love for people by helping to open orphanages around the world. I tackled prejudice and racism by working with many ethnic groups around the world. I tackled pessimism by spending years studying the writings of men like John Maxwell. I faced my low self image by taking my eyes off self and putting them on God and others.
Whatever my area of doubt, fear or ignorance, I’ve adopted the practice of getting up and running toward it. In the process God has radically changed me.
God wants you to do the same! No matter your doubts, fears or lack of understanding, follow the example of Peter and John and get up and start running toward it!
It is no wonder to me that of the twelve original apostles these two became the leaders of the early church. Why? They learned the importance of running toward it!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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“11) But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12) But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he *saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.” Luke 24:11-12
We now have a crisis of faith. The women reported the resurrection to the disciples, but the text says “they would not believe.”
There are many mysteries about God. There are many things in the Bible and the Christian life when you first hear, the natural response is to not believe.
According to Luke and also the gospel of John, most of those who heard just sat in unbelief. They were consumed by doubt. But Peter and John did something about it. They got up and ran toward the tomb.
There is a huge formula for the Christian life in their response. Doubts will come. You may wrestle with fear. There are many things the Bible talks about that are beyond our understanding. What is the proper response?
You get up and run toward it! You open your Bible and study everything about it. You talk to others who are seasoned with it. You face it head on and go after it!
If you fail to run toward it, you will become a critic. You will remain double minded. You will become an agnostic in that area. You will be paralyzed by fear. You will not grow beyond your doubt!
Over the years, I’ve applied this to many area’s in my Christian life. I ran toward the Holy Spirit and not away from Him. I studied every Scripture on healing and deliverance rather than hiding behind doubt. With great hesitance, I studied everything the Bible says about signs and wonders. Instead of rejecting spiritual gifts, I prayed, opened my Bible and started studying. God used it to start changing me. I had to switch theological camps.
In the process I’ve gone from being a skeptic to living and surfing on the wake of the supernatural. Instead of being a critic, I started walking and moving in the Spirit. Instead of remaining ignorant, I ran toward the subject.
Shortly my unbelief was replaced by faith. Deception was replaced by truth. Naturalism was replaced with Supernaturalism. Boredom was replaced by awe and worship. Unbelief fell away and I encounters God!
I’ve applied this principle to many area’s in my life. I tacked my fear of flying by getting my pilots license. I tackled my suspicion of politics by become a State Representative. I tackled my lack of love for people by helping to open orphanages around the world. I tackled prejudice and racism by working with many ethnic groups around the world. I tackled pessimism by spending years studying the writings of men like John Maxwell. I faced my low self image by taking my eyes off self and putting them on God and others.
Whatever my area of doubt, fear or ignorance, I’ve adopted the practice of getting up and running toward it. In the process God has radically changed me.
God wants you to do the same! No matter your doubts, fears or lack of understanding, follow the example of Peter and John and get up and start running toward it!
It is no wonder to me that of the twelve original apostles these two became the leaders of the early church. Why? They learned the importance of running toward it!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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