Witnesses

Luke 24:33-53 (The Message)

33-34 They didn't waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem.

They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: "It's really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!"

35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

36-41 While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you."

They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death.

He continued with them, "Don't be upset, and don't let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this."

As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true.

41-43 He asked, "Do you have any food here?" They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes.

44 Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled."

45-49 He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way.

He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem!

You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."

50-51 He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them, and while blessing them, took his leave, being carried up to heaven.

52-53 And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.

Luke's Gospel ends in this most magnificent way.

Jesus, alive, and in the midst of his beloved disciples. His presence, and his final teaching of scripture, make ultimate sense of the events that have taken place.

He is Redemption embodied. He is Hope, fulfilled. He is Joy and Peace and Power.

Things have been made right in the most perfect way. He is alive.

Those three words have had so much power throughout time and place.

He is alive.

The one who gave himself up. The most heart-breaking story of sacrificial love ends with healed hearts, bursting with joy.

He is alive.

And now, the task for those who believe this truth? "You're the witnesses."

Witnesses can attest to the truth of what has taken place. Witnesses shed light, and bring reality into clear view. They help others make sense of the world.

That is the call. We are witnesses to what God has done...witnesses to what God is doing and can yet do in our own lives.

Because "he is alive," all things are possible. Joy. Hope. Peace. Power.

"They returned to Jerusalem praising God and bursting with Joy. Yes!"

Father God we thank you for this journey through the words of your witnesses. We are so removed by history from that first resurrection appearance. But we can know Jesus as alive and present in our hearts and world. May we see, and then become witnesses to all that you have done.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.