John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 'The middle wall of partition" (Eph. 2:14) was the wall that separated the Court of the Gentiles from the Court of Israel and the indication is that when Christ died that partition was was broken down the same time the veil in the temple was rent in twain. Certainly that was true symbolically and likely it was true physically. When the veil was torn down, then every barrier between God and man was removed for those who are willing to come through the torn veil (the crucified Saviour). - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 480]

Sunday is not a Sabbath. Sunday is the Lord's day, an entirely different day from the Sabbath. There is no Scripture anywhere commanding us to observe Sunday as Jews observed the Old Testament Sabbath. Our observing the Lord's day is a matter of grace and not of law, a matter or worship and not primarily a day of rest. We believe the day should be observed reverently as a day set apart, not like other days, yet we must be careful not to make it a matter of law as were the ceremonial Sabbath of the Jews. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 489]

Matthew 28:5-7 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Notice the message of the angel... First, there is comfort, "Fear not." Second, there is understanding, "I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified." Third, there is explanation, "He is not here: for He is risen." Fourth, there is rebuke, "He is risen, AS HE SAID!" Fifth, there is the same tender compassion and willingness to prove Himself that God has for troubled, inquiring, doubting hearts, "Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Sixth, there is urgent command, "Go quickly," etc. Seventh, there is a glorious promise, "Behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; THERE SHALL YE SEE HIM"! - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 494]

People who prattle about a "spiritual resurrection" talk willful or ignorant folly. Only the body was buried in Joseph's tomb and only the body could be resurrected. The spirit of Jesus He commended to the Father, "into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46). To the penitent thief Jesus said, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). So the spirit was not buried, and only a bodily resurrection would be a resurrection at all. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 494]

"Come, see the place where the Lord lay." God deliberately prevented the scribes and the Pharisees from seeing the resurrection of the Saviour. Wicked-hearted rebels against God who are not willing to do the will of God, He turned over to a reprobate mind that they might believe a lie and be damned (Rom. 1:28; II Thess. 2:11, 12). When people harden their hearts, God hardens the heart further. When people are not willing to do the will of God, God does not care to show them His will. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 494-495]

Thank God for the teaching which abounds in the Bible, that honest hearts, however doubting and fearful, may put God to a test and learn what they need to know. To the two disciples of John who followed Him, Jesus said, "Come and see" (John 1:46), and Nathanael came and Jesus proved Himself more than Nathanael had hoped to find! Often the best works new converts can do is to say like Philip, "Come and see," like the woman in Samaria who said to her companions, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ" (John 4:29). They that are willing to do His will shall know the truth (John 7:17). So here [Mt. 28:6] said, "Come and see." Later, doubting Thomas did not believe that the Saviour was resurrected, so Jesus offered the evidence of His wounded hands, feet, and side. - John R. Rice [Matthew, page 495]

You can know for a certainty whether the Bible is the Word of God, whether Christ is the Son of God, whether God's promises are true. Only accept the blessed invitation to "come and see." The Bible will stand the test of investigation. God's promises will prove themselves when you meet them. We may be sure that the only people in the world who doubt the resurrection of Jesus Christ are those who do not accept the invitation to "come and see." God will reveal Himself to all who seek Him with the whole heart. - John R. Rice [Matthew, page 495]