04/04/18 - Luke 24

April 4, 2018 – Luke 24

Jesus said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?" Luke 24:38

Trusting in the resurrection changes worry into worship and doubt into belief.

The ONE EVENT that changes everything is the Resurrection.  Without it, there is much to doubt and disbelieve.  But with it as our foundational truth, everything is possible and nothing is to be feared.

That’s a bold statement, and one that needs to be considered deeply.

Imagine life without a resurrection.  Our hope for eternity would be in doubt.  The only way to heaven would be trying to determine what was ‘good enough’.  Our spiritual efforts would all be about religious activities.  Forgiveness would be minimized and retribution would be maximized.   Without a resurrection, the fruits of the Spirit would lose their luster.  Who would care about being patient & kind when this is the only life you have to live?  Selfishness would be the standard for living, and violence would reign in every facet of life.  Without any belief in a resurrection, we would be more lost than ever.  Most would not even have a faith, since the basis of hope for the last 2000 years has been centered on a resurrection. 

But take a look at what belief in the resurrection HAS produced.  From that foundation, men have sacrificed themselves for their neighbors, the poor & painful have been cared for, hospitals and educational institutions have been created, forgiveness has reigned over retribution, kindness is an honored character quality, mercy is part of our justice systems’ toolset, and countries negotiate their problems before fighting over them.  The hope of a resurrection fuels more than we can ever imagine.

Jesus shows up and sees his disciples, and they are still not quite believing the resurrection is true.  They are still in fear of the Jews and in doubt of the events, until Jesus shows up.  But a resurrected Jesus has a way of solving our fear and doubts.  Believing in Jesus frees us from worry, because we have no risk of death.  If we were to be killed, it would simply mean a quicker entrance into heaven.  And believing in the resurrection removes doubts, because if Jesus can make good on His claim to come back from the dead, then His promises about life, about eternity, about meeting our needs, about being with us in every circumstance can also be trusted.  Trusting in the resurrection turns our worries into worship and changes our doubts into beliefs.

And all because Jesus shows up to prove the resurrection happened!

Has Jesus shown up in your life?  Maybe not in a physical form, but have you seen the hand of Jesus on your life recently?  Are you troubled?  Maybe it’s time to relive the resurrection and let that single event change your worry into worship and your doubt into belief.  Look for the signs that Jesus is in our midst, and trust the resurrection.

It just might change the course of your life!