At the Table - The People Jesus Spent Time WithSample

Appearing Alive to the Apostles

Have you mindlessly watched dozens of ‘Welcome Home Soldier’ videos on Facebook or YouTube?Many of my friends must be careful when watching these videos because their only reaction is uncontrollable sobbing. These videos have so much power behind them. Many of the families in these videos had no idea that their soldier was coming home or that they were coming home as soon as they did. It’s powerful watching those videos, but videos always pale in comparison to the real deal. You can’t feel the emotions of the families in the video. You can only guess how they truly feel inside based on how they react outwardly. To hear the story is nice and can give us a certain level of emotions. However, when we experience the story firsthand, it is completely different, and it changes everything.

Welcome home is always a joyous occasion. I remember as a kid waiting, peeking out the window, watching for my dad to get back from one of his many week-long trips out of state. When I finally saw him, I would run to him before he could even get out of the car. I saw his presence, experienced it, and couldn’t wait to hear his stories for me. Sometimes if we were lucky, he would bring us different gifts in order to bless us and prove a point.

The final meal that Luke records Jesus sharing with anyone before he ascends into heaven is shared with his closest disciples after his resurrection. This is important because Jesus treated this instance with high importance, not as every other meal shared but one that he knew, if handled correctly, could truly change the lives of people. Today, you’ll discover that Jesus wasn’t afraid of the disciple's doubt.

Reflect: What would it take to convince you that Jesus has risen from the dead? How would it change the way you’re currently living if you touched his wounds and shared a meal with him after you had seen him die on the cross?

Pray: “Lord, help me encounter you, to know you, and to live differently because you have defeated sin and death.”