The Lutheran Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "GOD PAUSE DAILY DEVOTIONS" for Thursday, April 16, 2015 - Scripture: Luke 24:36b-48

The Lutheran Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "GOD PAUSE DAILY DEVOTIONS" for Thursday, April 16, 2015 - Scripture: Luke 24:36 They were still talking about it when — there he was, standing among them! 37 Startled and terrified, they thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 But he said to them, “Why are you so upset? Why are these doubts welling up inside you? 39 Look at my hands and my feet — it is I, myself! Touch me and see — a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you can see I do.” 40 As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 While they were still unable to believe it for joy and stood there dumbfounded, he said to them, “Have you something here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 which he took and ate in their presence.

44 Yeshua said to them, “This is what I meant when I was still with you and told you that everything written about me in the Torah of Moshe, the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds, so that they could understand the Tanakh, 46 telling them, “Here is what it says: the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day; 47 and in his name repentance leading to forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to people from all nations, starting with Yerushalayim. 48 You are witnesses of these things.[Complete Jesus Bible]

The Emmaus story (which comes earlier in Luke 24) has become recently beloved. When I served in the Oregon Synod this was a special story, because we resonated with its themes of accompaniment, hospitality and knowing Christ "in the breaking of bread." I think it was through hearing this story that I found the courage to help initiate emergency food programs in my community. It was a challenge and a joy.
This little episode in today's reading immediately follows, when the Emmaus disciples run back to Jerusalem to announce that Jesus is raised. When Jesus announced "peace," his followers were jarred from the ordinary to the extraordinary and they didn't know how to deal with it. Jesus led them through a multi-sensory experience, proving he was alive and real. Then in words that are Luke's version of the Great Commission, Jesus deciphers scripture's great purpose, imparts knowledge and then entrusts it to them and us. "You are witnesses of these things."
Resurrected Christ, be apparent to us in the breaking of bread, and in the words of purpose, knowledge and mission which you give us to speak. Amen.
James Aalgaard
Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Wenatchee, Wash.
Master of Divinity , 2000
Luke 24: Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
38 He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 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, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled."
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,
46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.[New Revised Standard Version]

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