Standing in His presence

Luke 24:36-49

You have come back from Emmaus, you did not spend the night for you had been in the presence of the Risen Christ, you had been with the Messiah and you had to share what you had seen and heard with the others.  These were your first words “The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon!”  As they were talking about all that had happened, the unexpected happen, Jesus was in the room, and these were the first words they heard; “Peace to you!”

If you are in the room, what is your emotional state?  Are you excited, are you expecting to see Jesus?  That did not happen according to Dr. Luke, they are startled and frightened fearing they have encountered a spirit.  So once more Jesus spoke and these were the words from His mouth, “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 bone as you see that I have.”  Now if you had been in the room and had over-come the fear that had you under its control, what happen next would have been a game changer.  Jesus is showing all who are present his hands and feet and yet they were still in disbelief but also fill with joy and marveling Jesus said; “Have you anything here to eat?”  Dr. Luke reports they gave Jesus a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate.

“Then 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 and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins, should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.  But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Have you wondered why there is not more power in the lives of those claiming to be followers of Christ?  Could it be that we have unbelief in our heart and mind, could it be we have not stayed in the city until we were clothed with power from on high?  Could it be we’ve been looking to a pastor, a church building, a denomination and not the Holy Spirit who has been sent by the Father to live the life of Christ through us?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice