witnesses

While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. Because they were wondering and questioning in the midst of their happiness, he said to them, “Do you have anything to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish. Taking it, he ate it in front of them. Jesus 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 from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:36-48, CEB)

Easter week 3 this year is Luke. In this season of Easter we have had Mark, on Easter Sunday, John, and the text we always have on Easter 2, that doesn’t have the word doubt in it, and now week three from Luke. Which does actually have the doubt in it.

Why do doubts arise in your heart?

Why do people doubt followers of Jesus?

Or is it they doubt Jesus?

I work in campus ministry and the majority of the people I meet that have doubts about faith it is about the church and not about Jesus.

They hear about love and feel persecution.

They hear about acceptance and are made to change to belong.

They hear about forgiveness and get more charges brought against them.

They hear about freedom and are chained in bondage.

Why do we doubt?

Because the witnesses get in the way.

You have the greatest gift of all to be a witness to the love the world needs.

Will you be open to that and be a witness or will you continue in hate and block those who need God’s love from it?

Love like Jesus.

Be a witness to the love of a resurrection God that brings new life!

Loving People. Loving God.