Friday, January 26, 2007
Surprise Visit
While the disciples were locked up in a house hiding from the Jewish leaders, Jesus appeared to them. Jesus somehow came and manifested himself in the midst of them. Jesus' entrance shocked them. The door was locked. The Gospel of Luke records that they were terrified and assumed that they were seeing a spirit.
Seeking to reassure His beloved disciples, Jesus spoke words of peace to them. Jesus wanted them to see and know that He was real. He showed them his hands, feet and side.
At first these men didn't believe it was really Jesus. They were amazed and not sure what to make of the situation. Jesus asked for something to eat and ate in their presence. These men were glad when they finally believed it was really Jesus.
As Jesus expounded on the Jewish Scriptures and explained how the recent events fulfilled prophecy, the disciples' eyes were opened to the spiritually reality they had not understood.
Then Jesus did something profound. He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Ghost." At that moment, these men were filled with the Holy Spirit and transformed. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross made it possible for the disciples to become pure to the point that God's Spirit could take up residence inside them. They became the first human temples - the fullness of what God had intended all along.
Jesus instructed them on their new power and position. He was calling them to carry the Gospel to others. They carried words of life and freedom from sin. By simply deciding who to share the message with, they were deciding who would receive forgiveness and who would not. We carry this same responsibility today because God has called us to be his messengers. Our silence can condemn others to a destiny of destruction and damnation.
Jesus said to His disciples, "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (NIV).
Just as suddenly as Jesus appeared, He vanished. The disciples were left trying to make sense of Jesus' words, His appearance and their future.
Seeking to reassure His beloved disciples, Jesus spoke words of peace to them. Jesus wanted them to see and know that He was real. He showed them his hands, feet and side.
At first these men didn't believe it was really Jesus. They were amazed and not sure what to make of the situation. Jesus asked for something to eat and ate in their presence. These men were glad when they finally believed it was really Jesus.
As Jesus expounded on the Jewish Scriptures and explained how the recent events fulfilled prophecy, the disciples' eyes were opened to the spiritually reality they had not understood.
Then Jesus did something profound. He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Ghost." At that moment, these men were filled with the Holy Spirit and transformed. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross made it possible for the disciples to become pure to the point that God's Spirit could take up residence inside them. They became the first human temples - the fullness of what God had intended all along.
Jesus instructed them on their new power and position. He was calling them to carry the Gospel to others. They carried words of life and freedom from sin. By simply deciding who to share the message with, they were deciding who would receive forgiveness and who would not. We carry this same responsibility today because God has called us to be his messengers. Our silence can condemn others to a destiny of destruction and damnation.
Jesus said to His disciples, "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (NIV).
Just as suddenly as Jesus appeared, He vanished. The disciples were left trying to make sense of Jesus' words, His appearance and their future.
