MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Luke 24:35-48)

Aren't we like the apostles? We wont believe unless 
we can see with our own eyes. The gospels attest to the reality of the 
resurrection. Jesus goes to great lengths to assure his disciples that 
he is no mere ghost or illusion. He shows them the marks of his crucifixion 
and he explains how the scriptures foretold his death and rising. Jerome, 
an early church bible scholar, comments: "As he showed them real hands 
and a real side, he really ate with his disciples; really walked with Cleophas; 
conversed with men with a real tongue; really reclined at supper; with 
real hands took bread, blessed and broke it, and was offering it to them. 
..Do not put the power of the Lord on the level with the tricks of magicians, 
so that he may appear to have been what he was not, and may be thought 
to have eaten without teeth, walked without feet, broken bread without 
hands, spoken without a tongue, and showed a side which had no ribs." (From 
a letter to Pammachius against John of Jerusalem 34, 5th century) 
The centrality of the gospel is the cross; but fortunately it does not 
stop there. Through the cross Jesus defeated our enemies – death and Satan 
and won pardon for our sins. His cross is the door to heaven and the key 
to paradise. The way to glory is through the cross. When the disciples 
saw the risen Lord they disbelieved for joy! How can death lead to life, 
the cross to victory? Jesus shows us the way and he gives us the power 
to overcome sin and despair, and everything else that would stand in the 
way of his love and truth. Just as the first disciples were commissioned 
to bring the good news of salvation to all the nations, so, we, too, are 
called to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to all who live 
on the face of the earth. Do you witness the joy of the gospel to those 
around you? 

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand the scriptures that we may 
fully comprehend the truth of your word. Anoint us with your power and give us boldness to proclaim the gospel in word and deed."