Luke 24:36-53 ESV
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!" But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Rev. Dwight Yoo
Deals with their doubt
It was very hard for the disciples to believe that someone would rise from the dead in the middle of history. They were expecting resurrection at the end, not the middle. They were expecting a winning Messiah who would deliver them from the Romans. The disciples couldn't wrap their minds around this idea. The women were confused at finding an empty tomb. The disciples didn't believe the women when they came back and recounted the visit to the tomb.
Jesus had to persuade them. He showed them his wounds. He did this patiently. He even ate some fish to prove that He was bodily risen. He was no ghost. He had physically returned from death. He gave evidence to address doubts. The Christian faith is a reasonable faith. We do not discard reason when we come to faith.
Jesus invites you to investigate the faith.
Gives them a reason to dance
If the resurrection is true, it is the greatest news. It means that we too will rise from the dead. Jesus' resurrection means we also will rise. Not only that, but also in the same manner. We will be bodily and physically returned. There will be much similarity to the current life. Eating, nature, cities, neighbors. But also important differences. No death, pain, or brokenness. Take your perfect day here and multiply out by infinity. It well pale in comparison.
Jesus had planned to suffer and die. That was why he came. In atheistic thinking, suffering has no meaning. Sucks to be you. Just bad luck. But Jesus shows us that suffering has meaning. When Jesus died, the disciples thought they had lost everything. They had wasted their years for nothing. Jesus came back to show them that suffering was for a reason. They and we were saved by Christ's suffering. The joy of heaven will be magnified by the suffering of this life. All the suffering and pain of Jesus plays a part in saving us. When we come to the resurrection, all of our sufferings and pains will make sense. Or joy will be even greater.
Sets them on their destiny
Jesus calls them to share the good news for the rest of their lives. This call is not only for the disciples. It is also for us. This is how we treat good news; we want to share it.
We are called to give up our lives. The truth is that we have everything in Christ. So we can lose status, money, power, respect, even our lives...because we know all the important things are secure in Christ. Even when we lose our lives, God will give it back to us.
Every menial task, when done with the heart and intention of sharing the love of Christ, is a great work. The Holy Spirit empowers all these things. It is not us, but the Spirit working through us.
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