April 15, 2018 Sunday

“Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.” (Luke 24:36-43 NKJV)

            Over the centuries since the resurrection of Jesus there have been many “theories” which attempt to explain away the miracle of the death and resurrection of Jesus and to lessen their impact on all of humanity.

            Many like the swoon theory say Jesus did not really die but swooned and then recovered in the tomb and “appeared” to His disciples.  Though how a man pierced in the side where water and blood were seen coming from His side could live is a miracle in itself.  For this is a sign that both the sack around the heart and the heart itself were punctured.

            Then in another miracle this man who had been scourged, crucified and declared dead by a Roman soldier would be able to roll aside a stone from inside the tomb and sneak through Roman guards to get the Apostles hoping they do not notice He is a bloody mess!

            It seems to take more faith to believe in the swoon theory than in the resurrection.

            Another “theory” is that while Jesus died physically His spirit continued to live and Jesus did not rise physically but just spiritually.  The passage above is the death knell of this theory as the physical Jesus ate physical food.

            The amazing and miraculous truth is that just about every “theory” of people trying to explain away the bodily resurrection of Jesus seems to have been anticipated by God and provision for it made in scripture!

            To our concern about the resurrection Jesus says, “And why do doubts arise in your hearts?”  Then Jesus provides proof, authentic proof, to them and calls for them to believe!  And just as then if we honestly question God will answer our question, though at times the answer will be a deeper and better question!

            Will you allow your doubt cause you to turn away?  Will you seek God’s answers and response to your doubts and questions?  Will you listen to people who use the same tired arguments to explain their own unbelief?

            Yesterday was one of those days where the pall of weariness weighed me down and almost crushed me.  As I laid there I realized that rather than call people shut-ins we should call them shut-outs.  For when you are so weak and unable to get out you feel shut-out of so much.  But God is with us and so we are never shut-out!  Please remember those who can no longer attend worship.  I remember when I was in the pastoral ministry and I would visit people they would often say “Thank you for coming preacher, but why don’t all those people from church come?”