Don’t You Believe Post-Resurrection Reports That He Is Alive?

Luke 24:36-39, NKJV

Prior to this passage there were good news reports of post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. Here Luke gave us a report of other appearances. His disciples were gathered, hidden behind locked doors, discussing proofs that He had risen from the dead. As they were talking about these appearances, they had a terrifying and frightening experience – Jesus appeared to His disciples.

He stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace to you,” but they “supposed they had seen a spirit” (vv. 36-37). Jesus wanted to calm them. He came as their peace bearer. “For He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14a). As He had predicted: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (v.7). In His immortal resurrection glory He had the miraculous power to walk through closed, locked doors. He didn’t need anyone to open doors for Him, nor did He need a manmade key to unlock them. Because of Jesus’ death on that old rugged cross and His resurrection from the grave, He can enter into those hearts that have locked Him out, but He will only come in by invitation. When Jesus got up out of the grave early that morning, leaving His grave clothes undisturbed, He had been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). If only they would set aside their fears and doubts and believe that they were not seeing a ghost!

Jesus continued by asking them, why were they troubled and had doubts in their hearts (v.38)? They had no reason to be afraid of Him; He had done them no wrong. On the other hand, Peter had denied Him before the cock crowed three times just like Jesus predicted. All eleven of His disciples were gathered here with unbelieving hearts discussing reports of post-resurrection appearances of Him. He told them to look at His hands and His feet and see that it was He Himself. Jesus invited them to touch Him and see that He was not a spirit; “a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have” (v.39). He wanted them to know there was no reason to fear Him. He wanted His disciples to have faith and believe that He was alive. What about you? Do you believe He is alive? If so, accept the risen Savior today. Give God glory!