Better than Being There
For Holy Week, we featured devotionals written by our church members. This final entry comes from Celia Giddens.
Luke 24:1-49
In the Christian life, it can be tempting to wish we could be as close to Jesus as the disciples were. They were able to physically walk and talk with him and ask him as many questions as they could imagine. Surely they had special understanding and were able to more wholly believe the things Jesus said, right? Yet no matter how many times Jesus told them what was going to happen to him, we see so many instances of doubt in this passage. This is first seen with the women visiting the tomb. If they understood and believed Jesus’ words, they would be expectantly waiting to see him rise instead of looking for his crucified body (verses 1-3). When the women went to the disciples, they wouldn’t listen to them (verses 9-11). The men on the road to Emmaus marveled about the account of the women and disciples, but they still would not believe it (verses 22-24). Even after all these accounts, when Jesus appeared to them all, they assumed he was a spirit (verses 36-37). We have dubbed Thomas as “doubting” (John 20:24-29), but he is not a stand alone doubter. In fact, he fits right in with the rest of them.
Should we then assume Jesus’ disciples spent years with him and didn’t understand any of his words? Far from it. In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples regarding his parables “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Matthew 13:11b). He later told them “But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Matthew 13:16-17). Why then did the disciples not understand Jesus’ seemingly clear words about his death and resurrection? When Jesus prophesied about his death in Luke 9, this was the disciples reaction: “But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” (Luke 9:45). The disciples were hearing the direct words of the Messiah, yet they were not permitted to understand. Instead of asking him to explain, they stayed silent.
It can be so easy to assume we would have stronger faith than we do if Jesus were physically with us. The truth is that we have God’s word and His spirit with us always, yet fall into the same traps the disciples did. How often have we failed to understand the words of God and chosen to ignore them instead of asking Him to reveal their meaning to us? How many times have we doubted the promises of God and turned to anxiety instead? Jesus has shown us his character over and over, all we have to do is listen and believe. May we hear his voice when he speaks. May we ask for clarity when we do not understand. And let us praise God that despite our doubts, we—like the disciples—may still partake in the glory of His resurrection. He doesn’t leave us in our doubts and confusion. He shows his hands and feet, dines with us, and tells us again and again of his wonderful plans for us.
Dear Lord,
I pray that you will deliver me from the doubts I often feel. Remind me of your words and your faithfulness to me, and give me clarity when I do not understand. I thank you for the sacrifice you made for us, and for your glorious resurrection. Be with me always. Amen.