April 14th

This Changes Everything

And He said to them, Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.' Luke 24:38-39

Idon't care how manly any man says he is, we all need some touching moments sometimes. The disciples were certainly in need of a touching moment in the context where our verses come from today. They had just watched Jesus die, but in the course of that day, several of them had seen Him. They had just been sharing their stories with each other, trying to figure out what in the world was really happening, when Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst. It's like, Hey, we were just talking about You, and Jesus just shows up. So now all of them can see Him as plainly as ever, but they still doubted, thinking that He must just be a ghost. So He proved Himself to them by having them touch Him, and when that touching experience didn't satisfy them, He asked them for some food. He ate the food in front of them to prove again that He really was alive, resurrected in His glorified body that will last forever. As you read this today, do you have doubts about whether Jesus really lived, died, and physically rose again? Do you have some fears about what's going on in your life? Well, these are the very things that Jesus appeared to prove to the disciples.

First, He appeared to remove fear. He replaced it with His shalom peace, calming their fears as He had calmed the storms.

Second, He appeared to remove all doubt. He invited them to be personal with Him,

voluntarily giving Himself to them for them to touch Him and see for themselves that He really was alive.

Third, He appeared to remove all their gloom. They had been hiding away behind locked doors, but when He appeared, they were filled with joy.

Fourth, He appeared to remove all loneliness. Even in groups, people often feel lonely. But in eating with them He opened up a new level of fellowship and relationship.

Everything changed for the disciples in one brief, touching moment. Whatever needs to change for you, all you need is just a touching moment with Jesus.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You for letting the disciples touch You. I really need to touch You today and be touched by You! I know that one touch will change me forever, so please come and touch me today!

Amen