A Short Rest!

At times, we receive good news (or sad news) that drastically changes our plans. Three years ago, during the pandemic, my wife and I decided to stay in Singapore and skip our annual summer trip to the United States to see our sons. As we communicated this to our sons, our third son said that was okay, except he was getting married that summer. Immediately, we changed our plans and went to the States, even though leaving Singapore meant we couldn’t return indefinitely.

The two men on the road to Emmaus meant to rest but could not. “At that hour,” they got up and returned to Jerusalem from where they came, found the eleven disciples gathered along with others, and they said to them,

“The Lord has been risen indeed and has been manifested to Simon.” (Luke 24:34)

Then they exegeted (or explained) how the Lord Jesus revealed himself to them on the way and broke the bread with them (24:35). The “breaking of the bread” had become his hallmark symbol and identification.

As the travelers narrated these, the Lord stood in their middle and said, “Peace be to you” (24:36). Those gathered were terrified, became frightened, and thought they saw a spirit (24:37). We can’t blame them; we, too, would have thought the same if we had seen someone die and buried and they appeared among us out of nowhere!

The Lord asked them, “Why are you troubled and dialogue in your hearts?” (24:38). [Note all the emotional words Luke uses in this section to show how troubled the disciples and those gathered with them were!] He continued,

“See my hands and my feet – I am he. Touch me and see – a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (24:39)

After saying these things, he showed them his hands and feet (24:40). I am sure their eyes bulged in astonishment and wonder. Yes, it was he, the same Jesus they saw crucified. Those wounds are still there, even after his resurrection. He still has bones and flesh covering his bones. He wasn’t a ghost like Casper in a children’s movie!

Although the majority believed and rejoiced, a few doubted even after seeing his hands and wound (24:41a). So the Lord decided to give a second witness. He asked,

“Do you have any food to eat here?” (24:41b)

They gave him some baked fish (24:42). He took it and ate it before them for them to see! That food stayed in him; they didn’t fall as whatever Casper’s uncles ate!

He who gave them food and broke bread with them now ate as proof he was an actual human with a digestive system. He wasn’t a ghost or a spirit. He was human, resurrected from the dead!

When I doubt my Christian faith, I return to this passage (along with a few others) to strengthen my faith that the Lord Jesus indeed rose from the dead. Christian faith isn’t a made-up philosophy or religion. It’s a history rooted in a dead person’s real resurrection and body – A short and temporary rest, the death!