David Bahn – Reflections

Luke 24:44

Then he 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 of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

If the current trajectory of godlessness, immorality, and indecency continues unchanged the future of the Christian Church in the USA looks precarious at best. That is not to say that the Christian Church will ever cease to exist; Jesus promise that he would build his church, and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). But that is to say the world in which the church will continue to exist will certainly be much more hostile tomorrow than today.

We face uncertainties on the political scene, middle-east unrest, questions about the future of traditional understandings of human sexuality, marriage, and religious freedom itself. The world is a cauldron of uncertainty and noxious anxiety-producing unrest. Perhaps you think this is overly dramatic. But Isis, Israeli-Iranian-Palestinian relationships testify to the dangers before us. And if not us, our children and grandchildren.

Perhaps the international realities were not as well-known by the disciples who met Jesus on that first Easter. But their personal future was certainly in turmoil. When Jesus joined them to point them to a better hope and future. They were confused, distressed, and deeply disappointed, and all seemed lost. But what they saw as defeat and distress was actually God at work.

They would need some convincing even in the face of Jesus’ resurrection appearance. He provides that in part by eating a bit of fish in their presence (he is no apparition or ghost). But the greater convincing comes when Jesus opens the scripture to their minds and hearts. He makes the clear point that this was God’s plan, and that it is still unfolding.

If we think we are in uncertain times, here is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and love. In him we have hope and a future. So now we wait for his plan to unfold. We hope in his faithful goodness. We trust his promises.

As you face the future where especially is God calling you: Waiting; Hoping; or Trusting? In any case God has a plan of which he invites us to be a part.

Luke 24:36-49

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” ³⁷ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. ³⁸ And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” ⁴⁰ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate before them.

⁴⁴ Then he 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 of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,⁴⁶ and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”