THEY DID NOT BELIEVE BECAUSE OF JOY AND AMAZEMENT

THEY DID NOT BELIEVE BECAUSE OF JOY AND AMAZEMENT

Luke 24:34-49

New International Version

34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. 36 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.

THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

Have any of you seen a U.F.O. an Unidentified Flying Object? If you have have you tried describing the event to others? 

I have seen two UFOs in my life. The first one was while I was in my early teens. We lived in a small settlement that wasn't even an official town. We were well away from any towns or cities of any size. This is important because at night there was no light pollution. The stars and expanse of the Milky Way were clearly visible on this particular late spring evening. It was well after dark but it was such a glorious evening that I was still playing in the yard. 

That's when I saw it. It was a large sphere glowing orange. At first I thought that it was the moon. However it was much too large - many times the perceived size of the moon in the sky. I went to the front door and called for my mother to come and see. Before long we noticed a few of our neighbors were also in their yard looking at this odd event. 

Some suggested that it was a hot air balloon. Others dismissed that by saying it was too perfect of a sphere to be a balloon and to quiet. There was no sound of the propane flame. I had never seen a hot air balloon until much later in life and they are surprisingly loud. 

More people were coming from their homes. And then it just disappeared like turning off a light switch. The stars were clearly visible in the space where the object had been. It hadn't just gone dark. It was no longer there. 

Many of us stood standing and staring at the sky. Then one by one people returned to their homes. 

The next day there was some talk of the night before but before long we just quit discussing it. 

Now that I've shared my story do you believe that I saw a UFO? Have you formulated a theory that would provide a logical explanation of what I might have seen? Or have you just dismissed it as a delusional or as pure fiction? Am I a credible witness?

Now, how are you going to react if I tell you that I just saw my dead friend walking and taking to me?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is the belief that Jesus, who was crucified and buried, rose from the dead on the third day, fulfilling the prophecies and promises of God. In Luke 24:34-41, we see the disciples experiencing the reality of the resurrection, and their reactions teach us valuable lessons about the power and significance of this event.

The passage begins with the disciples recounting how Jesus appeared to Simon. Just moments before, they were filled with sorrow and despair after witnessing their beloved teacher being crucified. But now, their hearts were filled with joy and hope as they shared the news of Jesus' resurrection. This is the first indication that something extraordinary has happened – Jesus has risen from the dead.

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is a pivotal event in human history that transformed the lives of the disciples and continues to impact our lives today. As we read in the Gospels, after Jesus' crucifixion, his followers were devastated and filled with fear. Their leader, whom they believed to be the Messiah, had been killed. But as they were discussing this tragic event, something miraculous happened - Jesus appeared among them, alive and well.

Imagine the shock and disbelief of the disciples as they saw their resurrected Lord standing before them. It was not just a figment of their imagination or a dream - it was real. And in that moment, Jesus greets them with the words "Peace be with you." This greeting may seem like a customary way of saying hello, but it carries a much deeper meaning.

In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." This peace that Jesus offers is not temporary or superficial, but it is a peace that surpasses all understanding and can only come from God. It is a peace that calms our fears, soothes our anxieties, and fills us with hope and joy.

The disciples were in desperate need of this peace as they were struggling to come to terms with the events that had just unfolded. They had witnessed Jesus' brutal crucifixion and had lost all hope. But in that moment, when he appeared before them, he brought them peace. This shows us the power of Jesus' resurrection - it can bring peace even in the midst of chaos and despair. It is a reminder that no matter what we may be facing in our lives, there is always hope and peace to be found in Jesus.

However, instead of being overjoyed at seeing their resurrected Lord, the disciples were startled and terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost. This reaction shows their lack of understanding and faith in the power of Jesus' resurrection. They had seen him perform miracles during his ministry, yet they still could not comprehend the reality of his resurrection. How often do we also struggle to believe in things that seem impossible? The resurrection teaches us to have faith in God's power and to trust in his plans for our lives, even when they may seem unimaginable.

The disciples' initial disbelief and fear were quickly replaced with overwhelming joy and amazement as Jesus showed them his wounds and ate with them. This was the moment they truly understood the significance of his resurrection. It was not just about defeating death, but it was also about the fulfillment of God's promises and the redemption of humanity.

The peace that Jesus offers is not just for the disciples or the early believers, but it is for all of us today. In a world filled with chaos, violence, and uncertainty, we can find peace in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world through his resurrection. He has conquered sin and death, and through him, we have eternal life.

But this peace is not something that can be achieved through our own efforts or by following societal norms. In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." True peace can only come from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is through him that we can experience true peace and find rest for our souls.

Moreover, this peace is not limited to just our personal lives. As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of peace in this world. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." We are called to spread the peace that Jesus offers to those around us, to be a light in the midst of darkness, and to bring hope to those who are in despair.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event that happened 2000 years ago. It is a powerful reminder of God's love for us and the hope and peace that he offers. It also challenges us to have faith and believe in the impossible, just like the disciples did. As we celebrate Easter and remember the resurrection of our Lord, may we be filled with peace and joy, and may we continue to spread his message of love and hope to all those we encounter.

Jesus then invites the disciples to look at his hands and feet, to see the scars from the crucifixion. He even invites them to touch him, proving that he is not a ghost but a tangible and living being. This moment is significant because it confirms the reality of the resurrection. Jesus did not rise as a spirit or a symbol; he rose in his physical body, conquering death and providing evidence for his followers to believe in his resurrection.

As the disciples were still struggling to believe, Jesus asked them if they had anything to eat. This may seem like a strange question, but it serves as another proof of his resurrection. Ghosts do not eat or have physical bodies that require nourishment. By eating in front of them, Jesus reaffirms his physical resurrection and dispels any doubts or disbelief they may have had.

The disciples' reactions to Jesus' resurrection teach us that even those who were closest to Jesus struggled to understand and believe in the power of the resurrection. But as they witnessed and experienced it firsthand, their doubts turned into joy and amazement. This transformation is a reminder that the resurrection has the power to change our lives from despair to hope, from doubt to faith, and from death to eternal life.

The significance of Jesus' resurrection goes beyond just proving his deity or fulfilling prophecies. It also holds immense power for our lives today. In 1 Corinthians 15:17, Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." The resurrection is what gives us hope for eternal life and salvation. It is proof that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was accepted by God and has the power to save us from our sins.

Moreover, the resurrection also gives us hope for our own physical bodies. Just as Jesus rose from the dead with a glorified body, we too will have new, resurrected bodies in the future. This promises us that death is not the end, but through Christ, we have the hope of a new and eternal life.

In conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a historical event; it is a powerful and life-changing reality. It teaches us the power of God to overcome death, doubt, and despair. It gives us a firm foundation for our faith and hope for our future. As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday and remember his resurrection, let us be reminded of its significance and allow it to transform our lives. May we have faith in the power of the resurrection and live in the hope and peace that it brings.