37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 He took them, and ate in front of them. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”
When Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His Twelve and to many other disciples. Luke tells us, "He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). These apostles boldly shared the things they had heard and seen, and the church grew tremendously under the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit.
By the Spirit's inspiration and guidance, the apostles recorded Jesus' words and deeds in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and in various letters and writings of the New Testament. Through that word they continue to speak of all the Lord Jesus accomplished for us. They wanted to be sure that generations yet to come would know the truth about Jesus' great mission of salvation.
You and I were among that people yet unborn when these great events were accomplished for us. Yet God's Word has come down to us, proclaiming God's righteousness, and assuring us that our Lord Jesus Christ has done everything necessary for our salvation. Comforted, strengthened and at peace with God through this Good News, we cannot help but go and proclaim God's righteous plan throughout the whole earth.
Unless Jesus comes first, you and I will also lay in the dust of death one day awaiting the resurrection of the dead won by Jesus Christ our Lord. May God work in us to go throughout the world and faithfully share the Gospel. May we do this so that many generations yet unborn may put their trust in Jesus Christ and pass on His great salvation until the day the Lord Jesus returns with all His angels.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, to You belongs all praise and glory. Continue to bless and guide us Your people, that we may spread Your story to a people yet unborn. Amen.
-------
Lutheran Hour Ministries
660 Mason Ridge Center
St. Louis, MO 63141 United States
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment