A Personal Invitation

Consider this your personal invitation.

 “As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.”

Luke 24:36-43

What did the two disciples tell the others huddled in fear in that room? It was the same room these two had left in sorrow and despair earlier. Suddenly, these two are back. They brought the same message the women spoke earlier the same day.

Jesus is alive!

What the women said in the morning seemed as “nonsense.” The new eyewitness account from these two forced the doubters to reconsider. Then just as they were contemplating this truth-Jesus stood among them! What would we do? How would we react? Is it possible for us to imagine the scene?

It’s doubtful.

A person once dead suddenly appearing alive had NEVER BEFORE happened…and it has NEVER OCCURRED SINCE. (I’m not shouting…I’m explaining.)

What happened next?

The disciples still could not believe it was Jesus…even after He showed them His nail pierced hands and feet! Then Jesus asked for food to eat in their presence. They watched Jesus eat. Dead people don’t eat fish!

Why did Jesus appear to the two on the way to Emmaus? Why did Jesus stand among them, showing them His hands and feet, His side…even eating before them?

Jesus wanted them to believe…to know He had risen from the dead. To know He had died for their sins.

It’s 2,023 or so years after these events.

And Jesus invites us to believe in Him.

Jesus invites us to believe what He revealed to the disciples that day.

He did not force them. He patiently showed them.

He does not force us to believe.

He could. He has the power. He is Creator of the universe.

What do we need to know about Him? He died for the sins of the world.

He defeated death.

He lives.

Today-He invites us to believe.