Luke 24:36b-48 (NRSV)
Read Luke 24:36b-48 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." Verse 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Verse 38He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Verse 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." Verse 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. Verse 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" Verse 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, Verse 43and he took it and ate in their presence. Verse 44Then 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, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Verse 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, Verse 46and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, Verse 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Verse 48You are witnesses of these things.
Devotion
Some days I think I should move to Missouri, the “Show Me State.” I might belong there because there are seasons of my life when I want more evidence than I am getting. I want assurance Jesus is who he says he is and that he can do what he says he can do. I want him to show up and show me his hands and his feet. I want to experience his presence and his power.
If you feel this way, and I bet you do occasionally, here is something that works. Show up for worship and let God’s spirit open your mind to the truth of God’s word. It is in worship that doubts turn to faith and we see again the power of Jesus’ message of repentance and forgiveness. It is here we are renewed to preach to the nations. We have all witnessed these things.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for appearing during our seasons of doubt. Thank you for showing us over and over again that your spirit is ever present with us. Give us courage to be witnesses to the truth about your forgiveness and repentance. Amen.