Proved by His Presence: Overcoming Doubt and Disbelief

Bible Passage: Luke 24:36–43

As I studied for this passage to bring our message tonight, many ideas ran through my mind in how do we understand the disciples experience in the death of Jesus. I think most if not all of us can relate in loosing a loved one. The pain and the loss of a loved one is real. Jesus disciples loved Him and they experience many of the same emotions. Being troubled, fear, disbelief.

The first time I experienced the death of a loved one I was 15. My grandfather went to be with the Lord. Like most grandfathers they manage to find a special place in our hearts and he certainly had done that. His love and kindness in the wake of my parents divorce, I spent allot of time with him and his death effected me greatly. I missed him. I hurt and it was difficult for me to come to reality with. Struggling to fill what seemed as a open void I turned to alcohol and drugs to fill the endless gap. I was just a kid a 15, both alcohol and drugs are illegal which got me into allot of trouble very quickly and I found myself in jail. I understood the finality of my grandfathers death but didn’t understand the implications of the cross.

Fast forward to 2023 was a very tough year. In the span of a year my family experienced the death of 7 family members and friends. One of which was my wife’s younger sister and the other my best friend whom I had grown up with since forth grade. While all of these people I was close to and the weight of their passing was heavy as some believed in Jesus while others believe was unclear, I kept hope and had joy despite mourning their loss. What was the difference? The pain was still there but my response greatly differed and I don’t think it was because I was older, but rather the promises we find in scripture and the clarity God brings to what happens when we physically die.

Tonight we will see how Jesus brings Peace in Panic, provides proof for the perplexed and extends his presence through a meal.

1. Peace in Panic | Proof for the Perplexed | Presence through the Meal

Luke 24:36–37 “As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.”

Take a look at vs 36 with me and we see the disciples talking about what had happened. How the chief priest, elders and scribes had arrested Jesus in the garden as he prayed. How they held a mock trial in which they could find no evidence of any wrong doing. The finally said Luke 22:67–71 ““If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.””

How Pilate showed his cowardness by refusing to stand for the innocent and agreed to crucify Jesus to save his own skin as the people yelled “Crucify him.” Luke 23:21 No evil had Jesus done even by Pilates examination yet Jesus’ passion moved toward the cross of crucifixion.

Jesus having been beaten to the point he was unrecognizable, received the help of one coming in from the country, Simon of Cyrene who hadn’t a clue that a trip to the city would forever change him and his family. Simon carried the cross of Jesus through the streets behind Jesus. With him a multitude of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.

Finally atop of Calvary’s hill Jesus is stripped and crucified him with two criminals. One to his right and the other to his left. Jesus prayed to the Father, Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

How the rules scoffed at him saying “He saved others; let him save himself, IF he is the Christ of God, HIS Chosen One!” The soldiers mocked him and they placed an inscription over his head. Luke 23:38 “This is the King of the Jews.”” One of the criminals railed at him saying “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Jesus turned to him and said “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What a beautiful picture of the gospel. The thief realized that he was condemned and rightly so for the deeds he had done and been sentenced for. He confessed his condemnation and saw Jesus as Lord who was going into his kingdom. The result was salvation by being where Jesus was that very day.

They talked about his death and the tomb. How the women had gone earlier that morning and found it empty. How he had appeared on the road to Emmaus and stayed and broke bread with them and how their eyes were opened and they recognized him and yet he vanished.

It was later in the evening and as they recounted all that had happened in Jesus life and death and look down with me at vs 36 and we will see what Jesus does next, “he stood among them, and said to them “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.”

The disciples understanding just wasn’t were it needed to be. Jesus had told them Luke 24:46 “ that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,” but they didn’t believe it. They believed that spirits were possible, see it in the text. “They thought they saw a spirit”. They didn’t trust what Jesus had said would happen, that he would die and rise from the dead. They knew! They didn’t believe!

Jesus knew what their response would be and this is why he comes and offers peace in the chaos of their understanding. He offers us the same peace today in the middle of our busy and chaotic lives. He says trust me and you will see what I say come true! It was coming true for the disciples that day and its true for us today if we will receive the peace Jesus offers us through the forgiveness he freely gives at the cross. Have you received the peace he offers to you with the father? He paid the price of your sins if you will receive the forgiveness he freely gives. This forgiveness says your sins are paid in full and your relationship with God is restored. In a word, Peace!

2. Proof for the Perplexed

Luke 24:38–40 “And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.”

Death brings about so many emotions. Trouble, and doubt. The loss is great and the finality of death is so hard to come to grips with. Death often brings about ideas of what will happen when its my turn? What happens when we die. Is what the bible says true? The disciples were not immune to the same things we experience in loss of a love one or friend. It was a difficult time.

Nothing had gone as expected. They thought Jesus would build an earthly kingdom but John 18:36 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”” And now the disciples believe they are seeing Jesus spirit. It must have truly been an frightful experience.

Jesus know the hearts and thoughts of man Luke 16:15 and understood the disciples reaction. He doesn’t wait for them to ask for proof but offers freely for them to understand. He starts with a question. “Why are you so troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Jesus had lived with them for three years and taught them what they needed to know, yet they didn’t understand. They didn’t know how to walk in the truth of what they knew.

Jesus doesn’t leave the disciples in their doubts. He meets them where they are at with their understanding. The Holy Spirit carrying Luke as he wrote, records Jesus words “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

Jesus has taught them and given it to them in faith. Hebrews 11:1 “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Jesus had told them wanting them to have faith that what he said would come true. That he would suffer many things at the hands of evil men, would die and be raised again. The disciples doubted thinking Jesus is a spirit. Jesus makes their faith become site and physically shows them his hands and his feet vs 40. See its me. Look and touch and see! I am the true vine and I am alive! I have been risen indeed!

What was asked of the disciples is also asked of us. If we are to be saved from our sins we must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts God raised him from the dead.” Romans 10:9 Jesus gives proof to his perplexed disciples and he gives us proof too. We can trust him and trust the promises of scripture that they are all true. We don’t have the physical proof that these disciples have, being able to actually see the wounds in Jesus hands and feet but we have the greatest form of evidence. The eye witness account of these disciples and as you move into the book of Act so many more. The scriptures call us to take it in faith that their eyewitness account is true. 1 Corinthians 13:12 “Because now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Jesus gives us the proof we need! Will you trust him?

3. Presence through the Meal

Luke 24:41–43 “And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.”

John Gill writes regarding “while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling” says:

An Exposition of the New Testament, Volumes I–III Chapter 24

Though they had been prepared for the belief of Christ’s resurrection, by the report of the women, the relation of Simon Peter, and the account of the two disciples that came from Emmaus; yet such was the joy they were transported with, upon the evidence of it, the news was so good, and the favour and benefit so great, that they could scarcely believe their own senses of seeing and feeling: and wondered; at the sight of their risen Lord, and at the power of God, which was seen herein: the thing was marvellous in their eyes, and was a wonderful confirmation of the truth of his deity, sonship, and Messiahship.

Maybe your like these disciples. You know the weight of your sin and where you have been and it has been a dark road. You have great guilt about the things you have done and it bears witness in your life. You know the wages of sin is death. And the day which you die is coming sooner every day.

It just seems too good that someone else would buy you back from your sin. Like these disciples it could be so good of news it couldn’t be true, could it?

Hold your place in Luke 24 and turn with me to and we will read together. Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Look back at Luke 24:41. The disciples are in disbelief and what does Jesus do? He asks them for something to eat. See spirits don’t eat and Jesus eats, proving not only that he is alive but that in a meal they are drawn into his presence.

Remember Revelation 3:20? “If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” What do you suppose is happening to the disciples? What do you suppose happens to us? If we open the door he comes in and his presence is with us. This is what it means to be born again that you have the spirit of God in you.

Have you come to a place where the Lord Psalm 16:11 “makes known to you the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

David talked a bit about the presence of God and how God will never abandon you. Remember he was an adulterer, and murder. He knew his sin and yet lets see what he thought about the presence of the Lord.

Psalm 139:7–10 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

Are you trusting in God and his promises? That he will never leave you or forsake you? Are you being changed by the hope and promises of scripture ?