Who goes there?Luke 24:36-49
Have you ever seen a ghost? I know, I know these stories always seem so far fetched and way out there and hard to believe. As I was reading my devotion I was drawn into it because I couldn’t even begin to think about what was going through the disciples minds. Yep, they had heard the prophecies about the coming Christ. Yep they had heard about the prophecies about the coming conquering King. But, like many of us, reading about something and seeing it are two different things.
For three years Christ had been preparing his band of disciples for this day. He taught them everyday about the coming events and I am sure there was more than one doubting Thomas amongst them. They heard it but did they believe it?
Now let’s not be to critical of these men. This really was new to them. Weeks before they were following what they presumed to be the conquering King. Days before they saw the lifeless body of this supposedly Messiah taken down off the cross and placed in a tomb, just like any other normal human. Their minds right now were confused, sadden by the turn of events and they themselves felt lost and defeated. We all know what that is like, having our hopes raised to such a fevered pitch and then having it dashed so harshly and quick. Is it any wonder that when Christ did appear they were confused even more? How can this be, we saw His dead body. And yet here He was standing before them in the flesh.
That was 2000 years ago and yet we are just as confused and uncertain when He makes an a appearance in our lives as they were. Oh sure it isn’t quite like it was with them but we have the Book. The written witness of all they experienced 2000 years ago. First hand accounts of the day Christ physically stood before them and said “Here are My hands and feet. It is I, the very one you were told about in scripture.” This was amazing to them.
Why do we find it easier to believe a fiction novel or even a television show that we know is a show but yet we react to it as if it was real? I remember coming home from school one day while in the fifth grade at Mark Twain Elementary School in Tulsa, Oklahoma and finding my momma setting on the couch crying. I just knew something was seriously wrong. “Mom what happened?” “Jane just died.” “Oh no mom, I am so sorry.” I had no idea who Jane was but my mom was heartbroken over her death. I knew this had to be someone really close so I asked “Who was Jane mom?” “She was on the Guiding Light.” It dawned on me that she was crying about a fictitious television character.
Why doesn’t the fact that Christ died for was not affect us in the same way? Well for me, it does still after 32 years. When I am in a worship service and we are singing about the risen Savior, I have to have a handkerchief near by because the floodgates are about to open wide. You see Christ made a difference in my life and He is still making changes on my life everyday. If I am the same today as I was yesterday, something went wrong in my walk. Knowing Christ should be different. Things should change in our daily life. The things we used to like ought not be there anymore. That is how those around us know that we saw the hands and feet of Christ. That is how those around us know that Christ has changed our heart.
The Easter season is upon us, have you met the risen Savior yet? If you have PRAISE THE LORD. IF NOT, you still can. Just as He has changed many lives in the past, He can change your life now. The key? You have to open your heart and ask Him in. He stands at your hearts door and knocks. Will you open it and invite Him in?
I am Harry, a free and vulnerable man…hear me roar.
Let’s do this... 