Knowing Everything
And yet still be ignorant…
'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! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
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.”
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. ' Luke 24:36-39,44-48
imagine being around the greatest person (Jesus) who has ever walked the face of the earth. He had all the answers to life’s questions, taught you how to live, love, care, etc. so that you knew how to handle yourself and deal with the situations you’ll eventually face. that you can accomplish this or that; live a full (abundant) life on earth; have eternal life in a place called Heaven; know a love that is everlasting and non-judgmental, and so much more if you place your trust in Him alone.
what is so crazy is that the very people He chose to join Him on His journey, the path and purpose that God the Father gave our Lord, was so close to Him and still could not recognize who He really was. Jesus showed them through the miracles He performed, speaking and teaching thousands upon thousands of people along the way, and shared many meals with the apostles and so many to get closer to them. even when He told them what was to happen - that He would no longer be with them for a short time and will be back again, they didn’t believe or perhaps understand these words.
the disciples did see, did hear, even did what they were taught, and yet when our Lord showed himself after he was crucified and had risen from the dead, they didn’t recognize who was in front of them. it was only until Jesus ‘opened their minds’ did they understand. it’s like going to school and your teacher provides an explanation, then break things down further, then asks you to apply what you were taught only for you to forget, blow it, and get stuck with the wrong answer. in the end, they have to go over it again with you so that you can actually learn something. this is what Jesus did for them and i often need the same done for me.
i don’t struggle with these truth statements - that Jesus is the Son of God, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead and rules at the right hand of God - now because i feel 100% they are the inspired Word of God. it is difficult to grasp if you are not a believer because they want evidence, physical, tangible proof that Jesus is real; in essence, seeing is believing. the only proof i can provide is what He has done in my life and the changes that no one could have made, let alone do what was needed, to get me to where i am today.
dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving on us, on my family and i. that you, Jesus, are still a miracle worker, a way maker, and that you are so patient with us as our teacher. even though i’ve had to learn while making the same mistakes a few times, you give us that opportunity to correct those areas in our lives. will you always help us to recognize you when you are speaking, prompting, showing us where to go, what to do, our next steps. please don’t allow doubt to creep into our hearts and minds. let our lives be lived out as evidence of who you are - Lord, King, Savior of the World. in your matchless name i pray, amen!