“Surprise appearance”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Thursday, April 21, 2002
Luke 24:36b-49 (Forward, p. 82) CEV p. 1098
The remaining disciples could not have been any more surprised or amazed than they were. After all, dead men don’t reappear, and they certainly don’t talk or eat or invite people to touch them. Those that are dead don’t have substantial bodies like this. I have known people to be aware of the presence of their recently deceased loved ones for a while after the death, but never in such a concrete way as this. Truly, this appearance from Jesus would have been astounding and remarkable. And, to be honest, I can’t blame someone of them for doubting. After all, who has ever heard of such a thing.
Jesus certainly wanted them to know, without a doubt, that He was truly alive, and truly conquered death and sin and Satan, but He had other things too that He needed to ‘get across to them’, three things in fact:
a) Firstly, He wanted them to know that all of what had happened to Him was predicted in the Hebrew Scriptures. What had happened was no fluke, no afterthought on the part of God, but part of His plan from all ages, from eternity in fact. This fact was important to these disciples as Jews, for it rooted Jesus and Christianity in history and in the divine revelation;
b) Secondly, He needed to reiterate that they, as His disciples had a job to do. They were to share His good news with all the people of the earth, starting right there in Jerusalem. They must tell them all that had happened and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins.
c) And thirdly, and perhaps inexplicably, they were not to venture out quite yet. Even though they had just been given this incredible task to fulfill, they were to wait there in Jerusalem until they had received the promise of the Father. Yes, even though they had previously been sent out to proclaim the kingdom, this time they were to wait. Obviously, for a task this size, they needed something else, namely the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would somehow give them a power and an ability that they had never known prior to this.
All of this puts me in mind of three things. Firstly, are we fully convinced that Jesus is alive and with us and able to help us? And, do we act that way? Do we step out in faith, expecting that He is there, and expecting that He will make a difference?
Secondly, are we intentional about sharing His good news, looking for openings and opportunities to tell others about Him and what He can do for them? I’m afraid that, as respectable, non-effusive, undemonstrative people we often shy away from doing this. Somehow, such a subject seems highly personal, even invasive. Broaching the subject is almost like telling them that they have bad breath or that their zipper is undone.
And thirdly, are we fully aware of the Holy Spirit and willing to work with Him? Have we sought the fulness of His power, His release, and sought to be continually filled and used by Him?
Truly, the full text of the New Testament gives us the overwhelming impression that the Resurrection of Jesus made a profound difference to both the disciples and the world, a difference both in how they lived and in how they spoke. Do we today have that same conviction? And do we live it? And if not, why not? Something to think and pray about. Amen.
Forward notes: “While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’” (verse 41)
“Effective youth ministry is comprised of two essential components: food and fun. I can prove this with data. At a church I served for a few years, I surveyed young people at the end of each ministry year to ask them what they liked or did not like. Food or having a meal consistently ranked near the top of the list. Games usually followed. Things like talking about God or taking on a role in a church service ranked in the middle of the pack at best but quite often at the bottom.
“I always found this interesting. In my experience, it’s not that youth dislike talking about God or being spiritual or participating in church. They just do not want to be bored. If food and games are present, joy likely follows. And following that joy is often the opportunity to be in deeper relationship. With food and fun and joy, you can create space for youth and adults to wrestle with questions, doubts, disbelief, and unknowing.”
MOVING FORWARD: “How can you add a little levity (and food!) to your prayer time today?”