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
Grace and peace from the one who knows our humanity and yet holds on to us.
Luke’s third resurrection story is filled with details of Jesus’ identity and the marks of our humanity. The wounds reveal not only who Jesus is but the violence of our world. This is no terrifying ghost who stands before us in Luke’s story. "Peace be with you," "Have no doubts," "See my feet and hands," "Let me eat something."
Whatever it would take, Jesus would meet their fear and doubts. This is God’s unimaginable forgiveness set within the real world of sin. The marks of the cross open our minds to the truth of who we are and the truth of God’s relentless mercy. The resurrection of Jesus is Luke’s story of the truth of God’s faithfulness. It is this good news which set him to writing and the church to singing.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting us in the midst of our humanity, for doing whatever it takes to ease our fear and doubts. Help us, Lord, to hear your words, and to believe. Amen.