Pastor Sean, is it possible that this great subject is just as much a deception today? Is it possible that many modern day Jews are so deceived they cannot comprehend what it means to have salvation?
They had heard so much of the doctrines and the so-called scientific theories of the Sadducees that the impression made on their minds in regard to the resurrection was vague.
So it is today. Many in important positions of leadership have been so influenced by doctrines that are contrary to the foundation of our faith that they in turn have confused the flock as to what is required to enter the kingdom of God. Like Nicodemus, they believe they are "rich and increased with goods," but know not what this means. They can read the third chapter of Revelation and not know it applies to the church today and it is a lost condition. Such a deception that leaves so very many believing that all is alright in their own lives, but know not they are miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked.
What is the result of preaching false gospels? Why does the Bible tell us "Cursed is the man that bring another gospel into the church?" Because it puts up barriers against the truth.
As they heard this appointment, so definitely given, the disciples began to think of Christ's words to them foretelling His resurrection. But even now they did not rejoice. They could not cast off their doubt and perplexity. Even when the women declared that they had seen the Lord, the disciples would not believe. They thought them under an illusion.
Trouble seemed crowding upon trouble. On the sixth day of the week they had seen their Master die; on the first day of the next week they found themselves deprived of His body, and they were accused of having stolen it away for the sake of deceiving the people. They despaired of ever correcting the false impressions that were gaining ground against them. They feared the enmity of the priests and the wrath of the people. They longed for the presence of Jesus, who had helped them in every perplexity.
Often they repeated the words, "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel." Lonely and sick at heart they remembered His words, "If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" Luke 24:21; 23:31. They met together in the upper chamber, and closed and fastened the doors, knowing that the fate of their beloved Teacher might at any time be theirs.
Even when one discovers they are in a lost condition, they do not know how to keep the law of God. They can try and try and try. And, like Saul before his conversion, they cannot. They do not know they need to give the whole heart to Christ and how that can happen. Even though they have heard the Word of God say that by beholding His glory we are changed into the same image, they cannot grasp just what that means. When Jesus told Nicodemus "As Moses lifted up the serpent, so must the Son of Man be lifted up," they cannot understand that it is by beholding the grace of God revealed in Christ hanging on the cross that we are saved. It is by grace through faith that the sinner is transformed into a repentant sinner that is enabled to reveal all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one is missing. Why? Because the Holy Spirit will take possession of the heart and then He brings with Him the power to keep God's law from the heart. This is what it means to be a converted Christian.
May the scales fall from our eyes that we might see Jesus and our continual need of Him.