This morning I was reading Luke chapter 24 and verses 36 through 49 spoke to me. This is the account of Jesus’ last meeting on the earth with his disciples prior to his ascension into heaven.
Luke 24:36-49 New International Version (NIV)
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. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Jesus appears in the flesh to his disciples. He makes the point that he is flesh and bone, not a spirit. To further prove this point, he eats a piece of broiled fish in their presence. The disciples are afraid and startled by the sudden appearance of Jesus. He encourages them to look at his hands and feet, he tells them to touch him and see that he is real.
Jesus addresses their doubts and fears as soon as he appeared to the disciples. He then tells them that he needed to fulfilled everything that is written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.
Then the Lord does something amazing, he opens their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Jesus summarizes what is written in scripture: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. Jesus then declares that they are witnesses of these things. Jesus tells them,” I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high”.
We as Christians often have doubts and fears, just as the disciples did. It was important that they see and hear Jesus in the flesh to boost their faith. They also were the eye witnesses that would record these events for future believers. This eye witness account should be a blessed assurance that Jesus is alive and that our sins are forgiven.
Jesus opened the disciples minds so they could understand scripture and he instructed them to remain in the city until they are clothed with power from on high. It was important for them all to be together when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them. Not only did they witness this happening to one another, but the people of Jerusalem were witnesses to this as well. The message of salvation needed to be preached first to the Jews in Jerusalem before being spread throughout the world.
Notice that Jesus did not send them out to preach the gospel alone and unprepared. He told them to wait until they were clothed with power. We as believers are clothed with this same power and the Holy Spirit will open our minds to understand scripture, just as Jesus did.
Jesus isn’t asking us to go out into the world alone or unprepared. He has sent the comforter to go with us and to cloth us with power from on high. The stronger our faith, the more the Holy Spirit can use us to do God’s will.
Luke picks up the story in the book of Acts and we see the amazing ways the disciples were used by God to spread the gospel. These men who were afraid and doubtful, were now bold and fearless. That is the power of the Holy Spirit, transforming ordinary people into extraordinary instruments of God.
To those of you who have been praying for me, thank you! Your prayers are making a difference. God will use me, just as he used the disciples to do extraordinary things in his name.
I will be preaching at Pleasant View Mennonite Church in Holmes county, Ohio next Sunday January 27th. Pray that God will use me in a powerful way. Thank you for reading my blog!