Burden of Proof

I just finished reading Luke chapter 24:13-53 today. Jesus, having been crucified and buried 3 days and has been reported alive by two women who met with heavenly beings at the empty tomb, appears on the road to Emmaus. He joins two of the disciples who are talking about the events of the previous few days and as Jesus joins their travels, they are kept from recognizing Him. Jesus asks them to tell Him what they are discussing. They tell of the death and burial of Jesus and that some have reported the grave empty. They say that they are disappointed because they were hoping that Jesus would have been the one to redeem Israel but that those who found the empty tomb did not see Him alive. Jesus tells the two travelers that they must not have believed all the things the prophets had spoken because it was clear that the Messiah had to suffer all these things and then enter His glory. He tells them all the scriptures have to say about him from Moses through all the prophets. When they reached their destination, Jesus' identity was revealed as he broke bread for their supper. Then he disappeared before their very eyes. The two disciples ran back to Jerusalem immediately to tell the others and while they were telling their story, Jesus appeared in the room to all of them. They all recognized Him and examined Him. They ate with Him to show that He wasn't a ghost. He then took them out near Bethany where he gave them some final instructions and then ascended into Heaven.

I believe this is an important part of scripture. Jesus knew the disciples would have trouble believing the accounts of his resurrection, just like we all would. We would say that someone was telling a story out of "wishful thinking" or just to gain attention or importance. We might also fail to understand why this happened and miss the fact that the prophesies of hundreds of years earlier which came true are also a witness to the truth of Jesus as Christ. We have been given eyewitness accounts by those who knew Him best as well as many other proofs yet the world still tries to find any number of way to avoid believing that Jesus was who he claimed to be. Other gospel accounts give more examples of how Jesus made his identity undeniable through His words and actions. He knew of our weakness of faith as well. Consider the evidence presented in scripture and history and open your heart and mind to the truth that Jesus is the living Messiah.

Table for How Many?

It has been a while since I have posted something here, and it hasn't been because I didn't have anything to share, but that I have been very busy with things to do. Since my last blog I have visited a large number of family and friends, officiated my first wedding, and continued to get into the lives of people around me. I try to post something when it seems like God is showing me something new and I sense that lately. I am becoming more and more aware that people tend to settle into "life" instead of running the race toward God. I see people I have known for a long time, who are wonderful, kind, helpful, moral people and discover they have not been to a church or prayed to God for a long time. When tragedy or sorrow comes along, they turn to God, but they don't really know Him. He is just one more way of "dealing with" life. He is the "last resort." What they don't understand is that God is Life. All of the effort I see them putting towards temporary things, getting worked up into a frenzy as if this life is all there is. This life is the training ground. This life is the meeting place. This life is the staging area where we learn about eternal things like the nature of God and how to love Him and each other, because that is what we are going to do once this life is over, if we are ready.

We go out to eat much more than we should and usually there is a little desk where the host asks how many are in your party, do you want smoking or non-smoking, and sometimes ensures you are dressed appropriately for the dress code. We sometimes have to wait our turn and share some tiny benches with people we don't know. We sometimes feel like we are wronged when other people are seated before we are. But in the end we usually forget about all of that once we are seated and are enjoying the conversation over the feast set before us. Our lifetime is that little area with the tiny benches and the little desk where we sometimes have to wait our turn. How sad it is to see people get upset while they are waiting. To spend so much time trying to get a better spot on the little benches, complaining about the cramped standing room, worrying about who is getting better treatment, only to realize as the restaurant is closing that they have forgotten to sign in with the host. They are never going to get to visit with family and friends over the great feast, because they placed more importance on the waiting area than on making sure they were "on the list' to be seated. I have made sure that my name is known to the host and have become personal friends with Him. And I know that, as He said, Jesus is preparing a place for me. So, while he is preparing the table, I am learning all I can about him and the place I will spend eternity dining. I am talking to the others who are waiting, discussing the menu, focusing on what is to come. Is your party ready to be seated?