The Presence of Jesus Does these for Us. Easter Thursday

Breakfast With The Word Easter Thursday

 

Luke 24:35-48 

 

 

 

 

The Presence of Jesus Christ does a lot for us, which are evident in today’s gospel of Luke 24:35-48. In today’s gospel, the Emmaus disciples went back to other disciples of Jesus to narrate their encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus.

 

As they were discussing what happened, Jesus appears in the midst. His first greeting to them is “peace be with you”.

 

In today’s gospel, we can delineate from this encounter what the presence of Jesus does for us. He means a lot for us when we encounter Him or allow Him into our lives.

 

1.Jesus Searches for His Own.

 

 

 

As Jesus appears to his disciples one by one to show that He has truly resurrected, is how He continually searches for us to assure us of His ever-abiding presence. The disciples were in a state of fear, hopelessness and worry.

 

He appears to them to assure them that He is still alive. So, whenever we feel like giving up and losing faith, God also continues to search and strengthen our hearts. He comes to us in these moments, to assure us of His ever-abiding presence. Never lose faith when you face difficulties if truly we are close to God.

 

 

 

2. His Presence gives Peace

 

The two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus went back to Jerusalem to break the news of their encounter with the risen Lord with other disciples. While sharing their experience, Jesus stood in their midst and His first greeting to them is “Peace be with you”.

 

 

 

Imagine the debate that was going on before this encounter. One evidence to tell you that many must still be doubting, was their attitudes when Jesus appeared.

 

Imagine when someone tells you that he saw a dead person alive, some will believe, while some will not. Such a story will cause a lot of debate. This is maybe to ascertain the truth of the encounter.

 

 

 

In this confusion, Jesus appears in their midst with the greetings of Peace. The presence of Jesus brings peace. A soul that lives in Christ is always in peace.

 

The presence of Jesus gives peace to the soul, peace with yourself, peace with God, and peace with your neighbour. A family that lives in Christ always lives in peace. It is not surprising here to tell you that the devil hates where there is peace. When you encounter Jesus, you encounter peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. His Presence Calms our fears

 

The gospel of Luke did not tell us how Jesus came into the room. This must surely be frightening.

 

The apostles were deeply afraid to witness such an unusual presence. Luke says they thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus tells them “do not be afraid”, they should not fear because He has conquered death, He has conquered the power of the devil.

 

 

 

Beloved never be afraid. I have never seen in the scriptures where Jesus advised his disciples to be afraid, but “do not be afraid” is littered almost in every chapter of the scripture.

 

 

 

There is this kind of courage that comes when one is sure of the abiding presence of God. One with Christ is a majority.

 

Certain experiences may be making you now to be afraid. You may not know what tomorrow may bring, God says “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

 

 

 

4. The Presence of God increases Our Faith

 

When Jesus appeared to his disciples and saw them in faithlessness. He, first of all, took time to strengthen their faith before sending them out.

 

He showed them His hands and feet, yet they were astonished, He went further and told them to touch him, the disciples still unconvinced, He again took a fish and ate before them, for the Jews believe that ghosts neither eat nor can be touched, but Jesus does otherwise, like a shred of evidence to show that He is not a ghost but someone who is fully alive.

 

 

 

The easiest way to increase our faith in God is to accept Christ into our lives, He will surely allow you to pass through some experiences to strengthen your faith in Him.

 

 

 

 

 

5. The Presence of Jesus increases wisdom and knowledge of divine mysteries

 

When you meet someone who has a profound knowledge of God which was a product of an encounter, you will know.

 

 

 

Jesus did not leave His disciples today, without teaching and opening their eyes from the scriptures. This also shows the importance of the bible.

 

Always read the bible daily to have full knowledge of God. When we invite Jesus into our lives, He will surely open up many things beyond our understanding.

 

 

 

6. His Presence makes us witnesses of the gospel

 

The presence of Jesus in our lives, surely makes us a magnet of souls. After this meeting, He sent his disciples to become witnesses and preach repentance and forgiveness.

 

 

 

The first step in our journey to Christ is to repent from our sins. And allow ourselves to be used by God to touch souls.

 

Today, invite Jesus into your life and everything in your life will begin to change.

 

May God bless you dearest and give you the grace to abide with Him. May His abiding presence continually transforms us. Amen.