Jesus Truly Alive, Not a Ghost
Daily Scripture
Luke 24:36-49
36 While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 37 They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
38 He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.” 40 As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 Because they were wondering and questioning in the midst of their happiness, he said to them, “Do you have anything to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of baked fish. 43 Taking it, he ate it in front of them.
44 Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
After recognizing Jesus alive, the two disciples rushed to tell the news. But then Jesus stood among them! Luke, a first-century physician (Colossians 4:14), noted details showing Jesus was no ghost but alive in the flesh. One common belief was that angels didn’t eat, “so this is further proof the risen Jesus was physical.” * Jesus explained the Scriptures and appointed his disciples to share his life-changing forgiveness. “You are witnesses,” he said, promising God would empower them for mission.
- Jesus summarized his message: “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations.” In what ways does believing Jesus rose from the dead change your heart and life? How does the resurrection make Jesus’ claim to forgive sins credible?
- Pastor Bruce Larson noted that Luke knew “the Greek philosophy that…. believed that in death the mind and spirit were freed from their bondage to the body…. Luke… underscored the Hebrew theology… of the unity of body, mind, and soul.” ** He wrote that Jesus rose with a physical body and ate fish to prove it. That mattered because God values us whole—body, mind, and soul. The later Apostles’ Creed said, “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” Do you believe in bodily resurrection? How does that hope help you value and appreciate your physical life now?
Prayer
King Jesus, I am grateful you conquered death and offer me the hope of resurrection! Help me rejoice in that hope and faithfully witness to others about the change you’ve brought to my heart and life. Amen.
GPS Insights
Gwyn Thomas
Gwyn Thomas, who serves as Director of Donor Relations at Resurrection, wrote today's Insights. She is a Boston native who’s happily adjusted to Midwestern life. She loves working in ministry alongside her husband Blake, a Congregational Care Pastor at Resurrection Leawood. They enjoy life with their two children, and an unapologetically large orange cat named Tuna. When she’s not chasing toddlers, she enjoys pottery, traveling, and finding new favorite restaurants.
Do you feel like you’re living into God’s call on your life? This is a question I’ve been reflecting on lately. God’s “call” is a phrase we use often in the Christian world. For me, it means feeling divinely connected and aligned with the path I’m walking. It’s the sense that if I were to sit down with Jesus today, I could share about my life with confidence and purpose knowing I’m doing my best to live in a way that reflects Him.
I was recently sharing with a friend that I’ve been part of the church my whole life. And when I say “church,” I mean both the people and the places that have represented the church for me: my youth group, summer camp, Christian college experience, etc. It’s where I feel most like myself. I never set out to work for a church, I just always knew I wanted to be part of one.
Then I met my husband, who was on a path toward becoming a pastor, and I thought, That must be it. That’s the calling. And I get to be part of it alongside him. Fast forward three years into our marriage, when I started working at the church myself. If I’m honest, there’s been a small part of me that has resisted calling this my calling. I love what I do and have no desire to do anything different. I’ve told myself, the church is his calling, I just happen to care deeply about generosity.
Lately, though, I’ve sensed God gently stirring something in me; almost with a sense of humor. If I could put words to it, it might sound like: “No, Gwyn… I meant it for you too.”
I am reminded today that the resurrection story doesn’t end with the actual resurrection. It continues through the disciples. And somehow, it’s reached me too. My faith, my work, and even my passion for generosity is all part of the disciple’s response to seeing Jesus in the flesh. Everything I do isn’t separate from the mission of the church, it’s connected to it.
Wherever you find yourself right now, how might your life be a response to the resurrection? And where might God be inviting you to lean in a little more?
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Richard P. Vinson, study note on Luke 24:41 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 164 NT.
** Bruce Larson, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 26: Luke. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, pp. 354-355.
