He was Right There

"While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." " - Luke 24:36

I went on one of those mid-night ghost tours once when I was in Scotland. It was somewhat comical as the tour-guide walked us through the catacombs of Edinburgh. We started at the castle entrance and ended in a cemetery. It was cold, dark and raining that night which added to the eery feelings. They told stories of Kings, maidens and even William Wallace himself have been reported as randomly appearing over the centuries, deep under the city streets, where the stone walls are damp and the rats run amuck. I found it difficult to believe that ghosts had walked amongst the people of Edinburgh, but had fun none the less. Then I began to think about it from a Christ perspective.

This must have been what it was like for the early Christians when they would tell of Jesus Christ appearing to them. There are multiple recorded appearances of Jesus to his disciples, followers and masses throughout the New Testament. From 35 A.D., only five years after Christ's death and resurrection, Matthew captured his gospel. For the next 60 years the 27 books of the New Testament were written by eight authors: Matthew, Mark, James, John, Peter, Jude - all who walked with Jesus through His ministry years. Paul and Luke were not eyewitnesses to Jesus ministry, but came to a conversion after the event of His death and resurrection.

Both of these apostles came to a relationship with Jesus Christ posthumously. So what would benefit them to create an event such as described here in Luke 24:36, where Christ suddenly appears to the apostles while they are gathered together. Jumping on the Jesus bandwagon after His death would be considered ludicrous by any standards, as compared to the other 6 authors who were eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus Christ. Then he gave up his medical career and aspirations for great wealth to spend the rest of his life humbly evangelizing the message of Jesus Christ to the masses around Greece and other Mediterranean countries. He wasn't selling a tourist package or profiting from the stories of seeing Jesus Christ walk amongst them, he was speaking a truth of what had happened in his life and changed it forever.

So, who am I to say that William Wallace is not walking amongst the catacombs of Edinburgh? This fascination and amusement means nothing to my eternal prosperity. We must choose, by faith, to believe that the New Testament writers (Luke, Paul and the others) were writing of facts and the very inspired Word from the Lord. Because none of us have walked in His physical presence, it is by faith that we must come to an acceptance of His love and forgiving grace. His presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit suffices until that blessed day that He returns to take us home.   

Prayer:
Almighty God,
We walk in the wisdom and faith of Your Holy Spirit in our lives.  We trust in Your Word as the truth.  Give us the courage and wisdom to stand on Your promise that Jesus will return for us one day and we will dwell in Your presence for all of eternity. In Your name we pray – Amen


http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011