The Text

Luke 24:36b-48

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened (see: fear in Luke), and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 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.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

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.’ (see: Luke 12:22-39 also see: Acts 28:16-31) Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 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, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways do you struggle with forgiveness?
2. What was the most significant moment when your ‘mind was opened’?
3. In what ways have you been a witness for Jesus?
4. How might God be calling you to be a witness today?

Image

Stories of Life and Passion of Christ, by Gaudenzio Ferrari (public domain)

Soundtrack

1. Whatever I Fear by Toad the Wet Sprocket
2. Unforgiven by Beck
3. Heart of the Matter by Don Henley
4. There’s a Key by M. Ward
5. Resurrection Fern by Iron & Wine
6. The Fall by Red Hunter

Full Playlist

Haiku

Hand on pounding heart / He’s alive, I gave him fish / He’s forgiven me.

Bible Leads is a rendering of my sermon preparation: researching facts & cross-references, drawing up connections through personal experiences, art and music and discerning the essence of the text.