“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 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.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.” Luke 24.36-43
Have you ever been in such awe of something that you were absolutely flabbergasted? Maybe it was a news story you saw on TV or the presence of an old and unexpected friend you thought you’d never see again. The disciples who were looking at the resurrected Christ were completely shocked at his appearance. One way we know this is because during the whole discourse of v.36-43, they never say a word (and this from the same followers who often spoke their minds freely and sometimes foolishly.)
Jesus appears on the Road to Emmaus to Cleopas and another unnamed disciple. These two men, after seeing Christ, return to Jerusalem to tell the whole assembly of disciples that Jesus is alive. As they were relaying the story, Jesus decides to join them. He “magically” shows up right in the middle of them. Picture jaws dropping, eyes popping and mouths agape.
“Peace be with you,” Jesus says. Then again he speaks, ”Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet….touch me and see….a ghost does not have flesh and bones.” And lastly when no one says a word, he says, ”Do you have anything to eat?” Jesus is doing all the talking!
The truth of the matter is that they who heard his teachings were still not expecting him to actually rise from the dead. It had never been done. Still, to this day, no one has ever done it. And yet, here was Jesus, standing among them, alive as can be with the scars and snacking on a piece of fish.
If we will allow him, God will never cease to amaze us. He’s not finished doing miracles. The resurrected Christ, though now sitting at God’s right hand, is still alive and active. He’s sent us His Holy Spirit that we might know him, trust him and love him. Just as the disciples were surprised by his resurrection, so shall we be surprised when God does miracles in our life — although perhaps we shouldn’t be.
Are you expecting Christ to enter into your situation? What if he walked through the door, brought instant healing or a miracle for which you’ve been praying? Let’s agree that Jesus is alive and able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. The resurrected Christ is resurrecting me.
“O Lord God, you are good, thank you for loving me. I find myself awed by your power and presence. Even when my love fails, your love remains steadfast. Even when I question my abilities, you show yourself faithful. Come Lord, enter my body, fill my soul, complete my love. Help me know that you can be fully trusted and that with you, my hope is assure. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen