“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.” (Luke 24:44).
“How many times do I have to tell you the same thing?” The words of a frustrated parent, or teacher, or coach, or boss. Also, I’ve often thought them, and on occasion said them. But is that what Jesus is really saying? If there was a time to get frustrated with His disciples. I not thinking that this would be the time.
It’s just not how Jesus would speak to His disciples when He enters their presence on the evening of the third day. He knows they are startled, frightened, and doubtful of their senses. But, as one pastor pointed out on a particular Easter Sunday morning, that Jesus is patiently reminding them of the truth that will set them free. The pastor put it this way, Jesus is saying, “I spoke to you (many times) that all of Scripture teaches that I would have to suffer and then I would rise again. I spoke to you about this so you would know…knowing that it wouldn’t really register until now. But I love you so much that I had to let you know a head of time.”
He suffered for our sins and rose again in victory over sin, death, and the grave. Because of this we have been justified and forgiven, we are created anew as image bearers of Him, and assured that we are His beloved both now and for forever, and by our obedient faith in Him we serve Him as He has revealed, for His glory. How often we need to remember WHOSE we are, and WHY we are here, which defines for us WHO we are. Our identity is in Him so that we might love and serve Him by loving and serving others.
I don’t know about you, but I need to remind myself several times a day of what Jesus has patiently but persistently told me throughout His sacred Word. So I all too often find myself praying, Lord, forgive me for not listening better, for not remembering moment by moment that I am Yours and You are mine, both now and throughout eternity. In Jesus Name, Amen.
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
