Remember Jesus' Resurrection

Luke 24:36-47
While they [the disciples] were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Easter—the day we remember Jesus' resurrection from the dead. 

Prophets spoke of the Messiah, how he would die and on the third day break the chains of death. The Lord himself taught the disciples about his purpose on earth. They traveled with him and witnessed miracles. They heard the Pharisees mock him. Every one of them knew Jesus' story inside and out. But here they were humming and hawing about the very truth he showed them. 

They thought they saw a ghost. 

They'd witnessed Jesus being dragged through the streets and beaten. Yet the man they loved and missed, the one they'd seen nailed to a cross, and placed in a tomb, dead as could be—stood in front of them in full flesh and blood and declared victory over the grave. 

Peter had cowered and denied he ever knew him. Thomas shook his head in disbelief. The other disciples stood with their mouths hanging open. Yet Jesus didn't give up. He opened their minds to the truth.

The world is a mess from evil and sin. That's the bad news. The good news is, Jesus opened the doors to hope and heaven through his sacrifice on the cross. 

Will I stand with my mouth hanging open? Deny him? Doubt him? No, I choose to accept his grace, follow him, and praise him. 

Jesus stands with outstretched hands in hopes everyone will seek forgiveness of sins and follow him.

I thank God for the opportunity to worship my Savior this Easter. He died so we can live, here on earth with purpose and one day with Him in heaven. 

Celebrate Easter with him!