Luke 24:13-43
Mark 16:12, 13
John 20:19-23
Mark 16:14
John 20:24-21:25
Matthew 28:16-20
Mark 16:15-18
Luke 24:44-49
Jerusalem was buzzing with the excitement of Jesus’ resurrection. Some
believed it was a hoax, while others knew it to be real. Still others, like the
religious leaders and Romans, were scratching their heads trying to account for
“losing the body.” They did what they could to cover up the whole ordeal. In
the meantime, Jesus appeared to many of His followers, assuring them that He
was, indeed, alive.
It is equally important that Jesus was not just seen but touched. He
walked with people, ate with people, spoke with people, and His wounds were
verified. His bodily resurrection ensures that we too will be raised with new
bodies, just as He promised. He was not a ghost; He was resurrected in a
physical and recognizable form.
So many events and conversations took place in our passage today.
However, a good summary would be to say that, in these forty days after the
resurrection, Jesus prepared His followers for the coming Church Age. What were some of
the pieces that needed to be set in place before Jesus exited the scene?
First, His closest followers had to be convinced of His
resurrection. The truth of His defeat of the grave would be the driving force
behind their efforts. Therefore, before He returned to heaven, Jesus would
appear to them several times (Acts 1:3). They were not serving a dead Messiah but a
living one!
Second, the verbal leader of the disciples had to be restored. Peter, who would
play a prominent role in the early church was, after the crucifixion, at an
all-time low in his life. Three times he had denied that he knew Jesus. When he
heard of Jesus’ resurrection, I am sure that the news was bitter sweet. On one
hand, he was relieved that his betrayal would not be the last experience that he
would have with Jesus; yet, he had to be a little anxious about seeing Jesus
again. What would He say to Peter regarding His denials? Jesus, of course,
forgave him, when He appeared to the disciples in Galilee. He gave Peter a
chance to affirm His love for Him three times. He also charged Peter to “Feed
My sheep,” a challenge to tend to the flock of people who would soon follow
Christ.
Third, Jesus reminded His followers that He would send the Holy
Spirit to help them. Without having Jesus among them to empower the work of the ministry,
the followers of Christ would need another Helper. That person was the Holy
Spirit. Jesus told them to “stay in Jerusalem until He comes” (Luke 24:49).
Fourth, Jesus opened the eyes of His followers to understand the
Scriptures.
It would be important for them to know these things so that they could
communicate them to others. At least twice, Jesus took time to explain all that
was written about Him in the books of Moses and the prophets (Luke 24:25-27, 44-46).
Last, but certainly not least, Jesus focused His followers on the
most important work of the Church — “Go into all the world and preach the Good News
to everyone, everywhere” (Mark 16:15). While the Church will have other ministries, all of them will be
energized by the propagation of the Gospel, the most important goal.
Daily Reflection
As followers of Christ, you and I have been given a great
responsibility, a great commission. As His ambassadors, we are charged with
sharing the Good News of salvation, the Gospel, everywhere we go and with
everyone we meet. While we may not go to the same places, we have the same
calling and message. Have you been faithful to your commission?
BiAY.org | Day 310 — 55 Days to Go
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