Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

In the midst

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Luke 24:35-38
The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."

But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them. 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 in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

There was everything mysterious and nothing mysterious in this moment of presence with Jesus. He told them about it in advance. The brothers and sisters had several sightings already. Why be surprised or afraid? But who has not been afraid at a supernatural rising? We're accustomed to the sun coming up, but it's no everyday occurrence to touch and smell and see a man appear-without-walking in the midst of us. And anyway, we saw him die!

No wonder Jesus tried to calm them down. "Put your fingers in my wounds," he said. And most familiar of all, "Give me something to eat."

Gods don't talk like this, at least not the gods written up by the Greeks and Romans. Jesus, "although being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But he made himself nothing ..." (Philippians 2).

No wonder we love him so much. And invite him to sit with us at every meal. And honor and praise and glorify him. God-man Jesus, so just like me ... so not. More of a servant than I have ever been, but he stays in my ear: "You can do it. Serve like I do. Forget yourself, I've got you covered. Above you beautiful, around you beautiful, below you beautiful, all around you ... I am with you always."

You have filled my heart with greater joy, Jesus, than when the harvest abounds and new wine bursts from the barrels. I can lie down and sleep in peace, because you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Devotions Archive

In the midst

Sunday, April 26, 2009