Luke 24:36-48
Today's passage tells us about Jesus appearing to his disciples. I simply cannot fathom being a disciple in that room. You've heard some rumors, but you know they can't be true; that's just crazy. You're grief-stricken, you're angry at the authorities, terrified about the future without Jesus in it, and then all of a sudden he is there with you, when just days before you saw him breathe his last breath, bloody on a cross.
Jesus words and actions here - to his followers, his brothers and sisters, his best friends - are so interesting to me. He is convincing them of his humanness, of his flesh and blood by showing his hands and feet where he was pierced and eating a meal. Though, if I were a disciple, I'm not sure I'd be convinced of anything because this man was just raised from the dead, so how could he possible be human?! Then the Bible says that Jesus "opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures" (45). When I read this, I wonder why Jesus didn't do this earlier. The gospels are full of moments where the disciples don't understand truly who Jesus is, and Jesus doesn't bother to explain. Why did he wait until after he died? We see throughout the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection all of these ancient prophecies being fulfilled, but the disciples just didn't understand it fully until this moment.
I don't know, but maybe Jesus waited to open their minds because he knew they would not be able to truly comprehend the fullness of his story until it was finished. We, as 21st century Christians, have the benefit of hindsight, the ability to look at the whole Bible and see the whole picture. I think if I were a disciple in that time, I would struggle to comprehend the fullness too. Jesus knew what needed to happen in order to fulfill the prophecies, but also care for and guide his dearest friends who would go on to be "witnesses to these things" (48). And after seeing Jesus that day, can you imagine how on fire those disciples were to talk about Jesus? To tell about who he is, what he'd done for them, how he is alive and how he is the savior of all?
My prayer is that we would all have that fire, that we would all open our eyes to the fullness of Jesus' story, and share it with the world. I know for myself I don't always feel that fire burning in me, but I do know that the Holy Spirit is alive and working in me. And I can count on him to guide me, if I only listen. So listen to the Lord today, ask him to fan the flame within you, to burn with desire for you that is like those early disciples. And ask him to open your mind to all that he has for you, because he has so much good in store.
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