Luke 24:36-48
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”,
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
If I were among the gathered group of the Apostles, trying to unravel the facts of the empty tomb and the appearances of Jesus, and lo, and behold, there he was in front of me, I too would have been frightened and perplexed. Once dead, always dead, isn't it? What is this, who is this I see before me? A new experience needing concrete confirmation, as in the eating of broiled fish, and the opening of the mind to comprehend this unique phenomenon. When the Holy Spirit descended upon them, the apostles finally "got it" and proclaimed the Good News without hesitation, giving their lives for it.
Will I allow myself to remain stupefied, or will I join the fearless Apostles in spreading the Good News? The ball is in my hands.
Bro. Rene
No comments:
Post a Comment