Jesus's Eye Witnesses

He is risen! (He is risen indeed!).

Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to look at the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. There were forty days from the resurrection to the ascension of Jesus.

The first account we will look at is in Luke 24:36-49. Please turn there in your Bibles.

Luke 24:36–49 ESV

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. 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. 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. Then 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 the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

They were talking about Jesus’ appearances after his resurrection in the first twelve hours. Talk about an emotional roller coaster from his death to his resurrection. That is a lot to process.

All of us, at times, find life to be a lot to process. We have each had those days, those weeks, that often turn into a season where life is overwhelming. In these seasons, we find ourselves afraid and doubting the goodness and purposes of God.

When you are in this space of being overwhelmed, how do you think Jesus responds to you?

Some of us think he tells us to “suck it up,” “quit complaining,” and “rejoice in all things”. We see him as insensitive to our plight or, at the very least, indifferent. This is born from his perceived inaction in the current struggle.

Does this reflect accurately how Jesus responds to his disciples or how he responds to you?

What is Jesus' response to their fear and doubt? What is his response to your fear and doubt?

He does three things:

First, he speaks his peace over you - “Peace to you!”

Will you hear him speak peace over you?

Can you silence your inner dialogue long enough to hear him?

Church, he says, “Peace to you!” Not, “Try harder.” Not, “Suck it up.” Not, “Work harder.” Not, “Do better.” Not, “What's wrong with you?” But, “Peace to you!” Brothers and Sisters, receive his peace.

Second, he addresses your fear and doubt.

In the context, this included his appearing among them and them thinking he was only a spirit. He lays their doubts to rest by having them touch him, showing his wounds from the crucifixion, and eating before them. He meets them where they are at.

How is he meeting you where you are to address your fear and doubt? Are you looking for the ways he is showing up in your own struggle? He is right there with each of us, yet our pain often blinds our eyes from seeing him or our ears from hearing him. Oh, Jesus, help us to see you; help us to hear you!

Third, he brings understanding of the Scriptures.

How do we know what he is doing?

First, we know the Scripture. We need to be in the Word. It is God’s personal revelation to us. If you get into the Word and read it relationally, the Holy Spirit will put life transformation on overdrive.

Second, we listen for the Spirit’s teaching concerning the Scriptures. Without the Spirit, we cannot understand the things of God. He is the key to a transformed life.

Third, we think rightly about the Scripture. There are plenty of ways to think wrongly about Scripture.

We guard against this in three ways.

First, by being humble in our interactions with the Word.

Second, by constantly being aware of our biases that affect our understanding.

Third, by doing Bible study in community with those who have come before us and with those who are with us now.

The disciples are eyewitnesses to Jesus’ death and resurrection. They also have firsthand experience of the power of the resurrection transforming their lives through the work of the Holy Spirit.

We are not eyewitnesses to Jesus’ death and resurrection. But for those who believe in Jesus, we do have a firsthand experience of the power of the resurrection transforming our lives.

Church, we are called to be his witnesses in each season of life. We are called to share how he has shown up for us.

He is still showing up. He is still appearing in dreams and visions, as prophesied by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32). It is estimated that half of all Muslim conversions to Christianity involve dreams and visions. Let’s listen to an account of one of those now.

https://youtu.be/q8Ef6Td-8aI?si=XQZ3Yn8FmShb6hDL&t=778

Go, bear witness to Jesus’ death and resurrection, and his showing up in your life.