Jesus Takes Action

Read Luke 24:36-48 

Have you ever felt the deep weight of loss? Not the feeling of defeat in a game or something of that sort, but the total collapse of things you believed to be true, the ripping away of hope you had for the future, and the loss of the comfort you took from things you once had? This is sobering to think about. I would guess most of us have experienced this in some way, and the memories are painful to bring back. I believe this is exactly where we find the disciples in Luke 24:36-49. Their worlds had crumbled before their eyes only a few days previously, to the point where they cannot even grasp a shred of hope from the reports that the grave was empty and Jesus has been seen alive. Grief and loss have crowded their thinking, and this is precisely when Jesus walks into the room.

When I read passages like these, I make special note of every time an action takes place from God to man. We see an endless amount of actions from Jesus to His disciples here, as He attempts to fully convince them that He is risen and physically in the room with them. Jesus knows their pain and confusion, because He experienced it while in the grave, and He uses actions and demonstrations to bring hope back into their lives. 

As hope is slowly being restored, Jesus does one more physical act by eating a fish in their presence. He has their full attention; it is time for Him to speak an extremely moving and important message. He opens their minds to the Scriptures; all confusion is gone instantly. He speaks a prophecy for the hope of future peoples, a mandate to direct the disciples, and a benediction over them, all in a few quick sentences. When He is finished, He departs to heaven, and the disciples have been completely transformed. What once was total confusion, grief, and anguish is now faith, hope, and passion for the preaching of the Gospel. 

This year has been one filled with deep, deep loss, and hardly anyone has been left unmoved by it. If you are feeling the weight of loss, I want to encourage you with this: Jesus is taking action to restore hope within you. He has joined you in the pain and struggle, and He has made you a witness of the resurrection by restoring those broken places.

FOR REFLECTION:

• What losses have you experienced that you need Jesus to heal? How have you already seen Him take action to restore you in these areas? 

by Zack Johnson