Scripture: As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit 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. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
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 and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:36-49 ESV
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Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, Jesus comes alongside Cleopas and his friend on their journey home to Emmaus on the afternoon of the resurrection. Jesus supernaturally clouds their perception of his identity and engages them in conversation, eliciting them to tell their version of all that occurred with his trial, sentencing, and crucifixion. Expressing their dashed hope, Jesus admonishes them for their immature faith, summarizes the mission of “the Christ,” and further instructs them on the messianic prophecies regarding him. Upon arrival at their home, Jesus continues to veil his identity by acting like he will continue his journey. Stirred by his teachings, the two urge him to stay with them. Jesus agrees, enters their home, sits at their table, blesses and breaks bread, and offers it to them. Instantly, they recognize him, but he immediately vanishes. Amazed, the two return to Jerusalem, reporting the details to Jesus’ disciples.
Today’s devotion reviews Jesus’ last instructions to the disciples before his ascension (the latter covered in tomorrow’s Daily focus). While Cleopas and his friend share their encounter with Christ, he suddenly appears to all of them and pronounces a shalom blessing to calm their fears (following John’s Gospel account but without mention of Jesus supernaturally passing through a closed door; see John 20:19). Also coinciding with John’s account, Jesus reveals his wounds. But Luke adds that Jesus invites his disciples to verify that his resurrected body is not merely of spirit form but incarnate and still able to digest food and be physically touched.
Once things settle down, Jesus reminds them of his earlier teachings on how the messianic references in the law, the prophets, the wisdom literature, and the Psalms point to him and his mission. Jesus wraps up their time together with final instructions on the big picture of their mission: to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. But first, they must stay in the city and wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, who will clothe them with power from on high.
Takeaway: Just as Luke’s Gospel begins with the terrified Zechariah, it closes with the frightened disciples. Also bookending his Gospel, Jesus’ earthly mission starts with his cousin, who will prepare the way for him, and ends with his disciples, who will prepare the way for future generations. But first, they must solidify their understanding of where all the messianic prophecies find their fulfillment in Christ and where all his teachings have been and will find fulfillment through each of them.
Secondly, they must remain put in Jerusalem and patiently wait for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. (Given that Matthew and John tell us that Jesus later met with his disciples in Galilee during the forty days of his resurrected form, we can assume Christ’s command referred to the ten days extending from his ascension to Pentecost.)
Lastly, once empowered from on high, they are to move out with their Gospel message, first starting where it all begins: Jerusalem. Then, they are to take the message to all nations—introducing a paradigm shift that all people, Jew and Gentile alike, who repent will receive forgiveness and an eternal home in the kingdom of God—circling back to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant (see Genesis 22:18 and 26:4).
Our takeaway? The mandate is no different. While our infilling of the Holy Spirit happens simultaneously with our conversion and regeneration, we must not rush into spreading the Gospel message without time to read, mark, and digest Scripture’s (particularly Jesus’) teachings and commandments. However, this does not mean that a new convert should refrain from sharing with others what Christ has done for them, but they must not speak of what they do not understand. Still, we need not obtain a formal education, for comprehension will come from the Holy Spirit and those further along in the Christian journey.
Our part? As mentioned in previous Daily Focus devotions, the Holy Spirit will not reveal more than what we already obey. So, we wait to be “clothed with power (and understanding) from on high” and start practicing in those communities where we have built relationships. Then, if we exercise faith, humility, and gratitude along the way, we will eventually see our labor bear fruit.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who served us and gave his life as a ransom so that we might repent and find salvation in him and reconciliation with you. Also, we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who clothes us with the power to proclaim your Son’s Gospel. Still, we confess that we are prone to either rush into the fray of a hostile world or hang back in fear of repercussions. So, please help us to wait for courage and wisdom and patiently practice obedience with what we learn so that we might take this Good News with power and authority to those whom the Holy Spirit brings across our paths. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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