Lord, increase my faith.

Lord, increase my faith.

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

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! A ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

When he had said this, he showed him his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."Luke 24.36-44

I guess the looks on their faces told Jesus they still doubted--they couldn't bring themselves to fully believe that he was no longer dead. Sure, they knew the tomb was empty, but that didn't guarantee anything . . . And now, though Jesus was standing before them, they wondered whether he could be a ghost . . . Look at my hands and my feet, he invites them, and that helps them a little, yet. . . could this really be their Lord? He wants them fully convinced, so he sits down to eat with them, another proof of his post-resurrection body. Let's observe as Jesus gives yet another proof that it is he~ from John 20:

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Poor Thomas! He always gets 'the rap', doesn't he? "Doubting Thomas" - well, the rest of the disciples were doubters, too.  Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Isn't it interesting to note how little fanfare there is with Jesus' appearances after His resurrection? No angels singing choruses in the sky, no kings carrying gifts . . . Jesus shows up in commonplace settings ~ and isn't it just like Jesus to reveal himself to them at yet another meal? His first miracle--the water into wine--was at a wedding feast; he shared Passover with the disciples, and explained that it was his Last Supper, and one that believers would share together in remembrance of him. Jesus is 'truly seen' at these times of fellowship around a meal - how about you? Do you ever share a meal with fellow believers and enjoy the common bond of faith as you eat and talk together, (and don't you just feel God's presence there with you)?

A couple things that Jesus said grabbed my attention, and also my heart . . . I do not believe those words were just for those followers of Jesus that day--I believe they are also for us today.

Can't you just hear Him say-- "Eric, why are you troubled? Why do doubts rise in your mind--either about Me, or that I will take care of you?"

"Karla, take a look at what I did for you--my resurrected body could have been perfect with no blemish to remind me or you about the cross, but I didn't want you to forget . . . the reason you need not be troubled is because I love you, (and what matters more than that?), and in case, you doubt that--well, take a look at my hands . . . take a look at my feet."

Can't you just hear Jesus saying that to you? "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet."

Stop doubting and believe.  “Lord, I believe.  Help me believe even more!”

After Thomas does indeed touch Jesus, he believes . . . to which Jesus replies, Because you have seen me, you have believed . . . and then there is you and me, about whom Jesus says, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. We have not seen Him in the flesh, that is true, but we can see him with the eyes of our faith; we can see how he has changed our lives, and brought meaning, peace, wisdom, and purpose; we can see the fulfillment of prophecy, the accuracy of the biblical record--oh, yes, there is much to see . . .

if we are but looking.

Look and believe – it is he.  And while you have a measure of faith already, ask God to increase your faith—to give you even more faith in him...he will.

Peace be with you ...

Christine