This week’s reflections are written by Rev. Brian Johnson, one of our Associate Pastors here at St. Matthew’s

Rooted 2019 – Week Twelve Day Five

Today’s reading is Luke 24: 36-53

In our final reading this week, Jesus reveals himself to the eleven disciples.  When this happens, they follow a similar pattern of reaction as the two followers did that walked to Emmaus.  The disciples failed to recognize Jesus because of fear and doubt, Jesus taught them scriptures, they had a meal together, the disciples had their mind and eyes opened, then Jesus departed.  This pattern of events is what the foundation of Christian worship is based on. Since the resurrection of Christ almost 2,000 years ago we still worship together in a similar pattern. It is also important to notice that in the Gospels that the first eye witnesses to the resurrection made it a point to show that Jesus was just not a spirit but a fully resurrected body.  He had meals with people and invited some to even touch him. This was an important fact that needed to be provided so that people would know this was not a vision of Jesus but the real deal!

The thought I want to leave you with today is in verses 51 and 52, “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” We often forget that as we go and serve God in the capacity that he calls us to, we are also blessed by him.  We are truly blessed by God and because of that, we should experience joy. A joy that comes from the salvation offered to us through Jesus Christ. As a Christian, we should radiate joy in whatever we do. May you find the joy that comes from the blessings offered by Jesus Christ!

If you’d like to get each day’s daily scripture reading sent to your phone, along with this reading guide, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up!