SCRIPTURE: Luke 24 

KEY POINTS TO PONDER: Following Jesus’ death, the disciples are left scared, confused, and saddened that the one who they had followed and believed in had been violently crucified and buried. Even after being told a least three times about Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples never realized what their Savior really meant and they were completely shocked, even in disbelief, to see Jesus alive again. Jesus never counted their disbelief or confusion against them. He “opened their minds” (v. 45) to understand that he had died for their sins, and that he had full authority over death, and that all of the Scriptures had been pointing to this one climactic moment in history. How comforting it is to know that Jesus helps us understand his work on the cross and his resurrection! Whether you are unsure of what you believe, or whether you’ve been in the church all your life and the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection still seems to be hard to grasp, Jesus is still in the business of opening up minds to produce an understanding of the gospel -- of this amazing news. We need never fear to ask God to help us understand the gospel, or if we feel we understand, to dive even deeper into the “immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). 

CHALLENGING TERMS: It might seem odd that Luke noted in verses 41-42 that Jesus asked for some food and then ate a fish. One reason he notes this is to prove to the readers that when Jesus was resurrected, he did not come back as a mere ghost, but with a living and breathing body, even with the healed scars from his death. That is why Jesus says “a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (v. 39) 

REFLECTION: Which part of the gospel story do you feel a need to have your mind further opened to understand? 

PRAYER: Father, thank you, for raising the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Thank you, that death no longer hold me hostage. Help me gain an even deeper understanding of this gospel story.