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Thoughts Archived > Would You Recognize Jesus Or Doubt Who He Is?


19 Jan 2014

                                   

 

January 19, 2014

Would You Recognize Jesus Or Doubt Who He Is? 

Luke 24: 33b - 43

 

Luke

When they arrived, they were greeted with the report, "The Lord has really risen!  He appeared to Peter!"  Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.  And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.  He said, "Peace be with you."  But the whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!  "Why are you frightened?" he asked.  "Why do you doubt who I am?  Look at my hands.  Look at my feet.  You can see that it's really me.  Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies as you see that I do!"  As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his feet.

Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder.  Then he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.

 

 

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Thoughts....

 

A couple weeks ago we learned about how Jesus appeared to two on the road to Emmaus.  Today we learn Jesus appeared to Peter.  At first, I was like, "Sure, Peter will say anything to keep the lead", but in John 21:1-14, we learn about that event.  Can you imagine how astounded these folks must have been?  I mean, they had thought Jesus, their teacher, Savior, THE Messiah, was dead.  His body was even missing!  Yet....h e r e ' s Jesus! 

The reference in John 21 starts out as 'Later....', expecting one to understand it's placement in text indicates the actual event is after all previous events, but it's placement in text may be out of actual sequence of events, per the correlation of statements provided in the whole of documented history.  Further indication is that this visit was the third of it's kind per John in 21:14.  But....there is, in Luke, documented events which indicate it may have indeed been after the others, not the third, since Thomas the Twin was present and didn't freak out as he did when he first saw Jesus after his death when he appeared in the locked room. 

In fact, according to Luke, Jesus appeared eight days later, where/when the disciples were meeting again, and at which time Thomas the Twin placed his fingers in Jesus' wounds to prove his existence was real.  Is it possible that John was mistaken about whether it was the 'third' time?  Of course.  These are times when some things are not important....like the 'when' of the matter.  What is more important is THAT it happened....and is historically documented.  Be careful not to get too literal in your study, as in when something happened.  The important thing, as I said, is THAT it happened. 

Interesting story....by the way.....first they couldn't see who he was, then he was recognized, then they weren't sure....but they believed!  All this after he died!   

Back to Luke....You will also see that 11 disciples were gathered that first day, which meant 'presumably' that Thomas was with them, since Judas was dead (12 minus one is eleven).  Yet it was indicated that Thomas wasn't with them then, per John, but eight days later he was.  Please note that disciples does not denote necessarily the 12 apostles (See Matthew 10:2-4 for that list).  All who follow Christ are his disciples.  It is understood by many in biblical scholastic circles that when it spoke of the 11 it meant apostles, but that is not what is said specifically, so we cannot emphatically conclude that they were indeed 11 of the 12 apostles.

Note that Cleopas, and whoever he/she (?) was with on the road to Emmaus was not an apostle of the 12.  It has been presumed (again...in error) that Peter was with Cleopas, yet it couldn't have been Peter, as the two from Emmaus were told that Jesus appeared to Peter prior to telling their story.  So, together/collectively, per Scripture, there were 11 disciples AND the other followers of Jesus gathered, and the two from Emmaus.  We can correctly and more clearly understand that the two from Emmaus are not a part of the 'other' disciples mentioned, because they are so named separately.  Remember this.  It will be important for our lesson next week and in the weeks to come.  Eleven disciples, other followers, two from Emmaus (11 + y(x)a + 2 = z (more than the 12 Apostles).  Okay....so I was not great in Algebra, do not recall how to write an appropriate equation, but I hope you get my point.  The total sum of folks there is an unknown greater than 11.          

"Peace be with you."  Jesus told them this, why?  Because they were afraid?  Because it was his customary greeting?  Does it matter?  How special that THE Lord would confer this blessing on his beloved disciples!  He offers the same to all those of us who love him and are devoted to him....still today!

'When they arrived, they were greeted with the report, "The Lord has really risen!"  The fact that they thought they were seeing a ghost implies his image was recognizable as that of the Jesus they knew and loved, and that it was not, at this time, a disfigurement of who he was as when he had just returned from hell having bore our sins and all suffering.  That's interesting, because it indicates he had 'ascended to the Father' (gone to heaven AND returned).  Remember when Jesus said to Mary not to cling to him because he hadn't ascended to the Father?  It was after arriving from hell outside the 'cave' in which he had been 'buried' and wrapped in cloths....from which he had gone missing.  It was the time Mary Magdalene didn't recognize him, thinking he was the gardener.

In todays reference, he clearly indicates he should be looked at....recognized....and touched....to prove his existence as that of one who is ALIVE!  The whole group recognizes him, doubts what they are seeing, thinks they are seeing a ghost of him, and he says, "Why do you doubt WHO I am?"  He's trying to tell them he IS JESUS and he IS ALIVE!  Then he tells them to look at his hands and feet....to see his wounds....the nail holes.  He tells them to see that he is really who he says he is.  He even makes the offer for them to touch him to prove he is alive.  And he says, "Ghosts don't have bodies as you see that I do."

Would you recognize him, if he came to you right now?  The warmth of his eyes?  Would you know him by the beating of his heart of love for you?  Would you need to see the holes in his hands and feet, the flogging marks on his back from your sins?  Would you doubt who he is or what he's done for you, if he came to you right now?  Would you be filled with joy and wonder?  Or would you just say with joy, "Thank you....I love you, too."? 

He asked if the disciples had anything to eat to further prove he was not a ghost.  That he was real.  Is Jesus real to you?  Does Jesus need to further prove himself to you?  Or do you need to prove yourself to Jesus....that you are his?  What would you give Jesus?  What can/will you give Jesus today?

In John 7: 26b-31, the people who lived in Jerusalem prior to Jesus' death, early in his walk/ministry, were asking "Can it be that our leaders know that he really is the Messiah?  But how could he be?  For we know where this man comes from.  When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from." 

Hmmmmm.......'he will simply appear....no one will know where he comes from'. 

Just like he did to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and to Peter, and to the many others....factual documented history.

John also tells us that Jesus said, while he was teaching in the Temple before his death, "Yes, you know me and you know where I come from.  But I represent one you don't know, and he is true.  I know him because I have come from him, and he sent me to you."  

'Many in the crowds at the Temple believed him.  "After all," they said, "would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?"'  Do you believe in him....now? 

 

 

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 Let Us Pray

 

Oh, Father God, thank you for sending your precious son to me, that I may have life....everlasting.  Jesus, thank you for living your life in such a way as to be an example of how I must live mine.  I am so very grateful that you were willing to sacrifice yourself for me, that I may be forgiven of my sins, and have the opportunity to receive eternal life.  Please, Father God, forgive me of my sins.  Jesus, please help me on my walk with you, so that I obey you, Father God, Holy Spirit.  Help me, so that I may not become a branch cut off from you as you tell me in John 15.  Come to me, my Savior, Lord, Messiah.  I want to see you and touch you as did the others after you lived, died, arose, and returned before your final ascension, where you are now seated at God's right hand.  Not because I need proof of your existence, but because I do believe you, and in you, and so want to embrace you with my heart of love.  I look forward to that day when you, and I, and all my family, will be all together again.  But I do know you have a lot more work for me to do, and it will be a long time before you call me, and the rest of my earthly family, home to heaven.  I am grateful for this, knowing those in heaven are safe, and, you've entrusted me with those who surround me still.  I am so honored to be so trusted.  Thank you.  And thank you for loving me....still.  I so look forward to stepping into the vision you've given me and my family.  Keep me and my family safe Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Give me, and them, your strength and healing.  WE have a lot of work to do.  Provide food, please, to nourish our bodies and souls.  And provide whatever else is necessary, including access to the finances of the Kingdom of God, so that we may go forth on the journey you have placed before us to help others.  Thank you again....so very much....for all you've all done for us.  I, and they, praise you, and thank you, and love you.  Amen.                      

  

 

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

 

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

 

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

 

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

    

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    One last thing....

 

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

 

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Bible Authors and Minister