Day 7: The Disciples

Devotional by Lori Mosser

Read Luke 24:36-49

Luke 23:36-49

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he 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 of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day, rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

When my family moved into a new home last summer, I posted photos on my Instagram story of the progress we were making while unpacking boxes and decorating. The images made the rooms look so “perfect,” but many times, there were still piles of boxes to unpack behind the scenes that no one could see. One day, I showed a picture of my entryway, perfectly decorated. But the next picture I posted was a view with my camera backed up about five feet to show all the trash and boxes still lingering. It wasn’t very pretty. I was trying to show “Instagram vs. Reality” and make the point that, at times, what you see or read on social media is too good to be true; things are not always what they seem to be. 

Today’s Scripture explains what happened when Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection. Many of His followers were in disbelief, even frightened, and thought they saw a ghost. They were not sure if what they saw before their eyes was real. But in Luke 24:38, Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” The disciples were hesitant to believe because it was too good to be true! However, Jesus is the real deal, nothing fake. Jesus proved He was the risen Christ by showing His hands and feet and fulfilling the words He spoke to them before his death (Luke 24:44). We, too, can have no doubt when it comes to Jesus.

Jesus went on to tell His disciples in verse forty-eight, “You are witnesses of these things.” They were instructed to share their personal experience of the risen Christ. Jesus is the real deal, and we are called to share His story with others, just like the disciples.

Maybe you have experienced a situation that caused you to doubt what you believe about Christ or the Bible. I know there have been times of doubt in my own life. But doubts can allow you to grow deeper in your faith if they are handled properly. Don’t be afraid to look further into God’s Word for the answers you seek. He will respond to your questions with compassion and kindness.

Questions

1. Have you ever doubted Jesus only to experience Him do something that seemed “too good to be true?”

2. Have you shared that testimony with others?3. If so, what was their reaction? If not, share your testimony with your Life Group this week.

Read This

For further reading on the subject of doubt, check out this article by Focus on the Family.


18 thoughts on “The Disciples | Holy Week 2023

    1. I thank you Lord for being in my life. I believe in you. You are Lord and Savior. Praise the Lord O My Soul. AMEN! 🙏🏻🙌🏻💜✝

  1. Thank you Jesus! By your wounds we are healed. Ish53: 4-5 Tony Evans Study Bible. I love this translation because Jesus endured so much more than being flogged. Nailed to a cross, his side pierced. He took our place – Praise the Lord, I could not bear life without the trinity.

  2. The one scripture I always hang on to is when Jesus told Thomas in John 20:29 because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. In those greatest moments of doubt when tragedy strikes it’s important to remember that Jesus has overcome death. I thank God for my church family and friends in Christ too because all that helps too during those difficult times. Thank you Jesus

  3. Thank you Jesus to showed to us when we really were in our deepest doubts. Thank you for not let me down and always show me that you are taking care of us.
    10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
    I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.. Isaiah 41:10
    Amen

  4. We are all witnesses for Christ. We know what to do and we have what we need to do it. We have the promise of His Spirit and we are so grateful for what He has done for us.

  5. Pastor Jarrett,
    Thank you so much for sharing these scriptures and the truth about the gospel of Jesus Christ our Savior. His communication to the disciples was startling to them, but then he opened their minds to the truth and hopefully many of us can understand more and more each day that passes.
    So happy you have taken our church family to new plateaus in His Spirit.

  6. Happy Easter to everyone!

    Each morning I go walking with my dog Daisy in the neighborhood that I’ve lived in for over 13 years.

    I don’t have any family left so there are days I am thinking of Easter weekends from long ago….getting the big baskets of candy, egg hunts, and off to church with my two brothers, Mom and Dad. Today was one of those mornings.

    There are several small lakes on our route and this morning we passed a man and his sons sitting on the banks fishing. Actually Daisy, being her people loving self was running to see what they were doing.
    I followed and asked them if they were catching anything. To my surprise, the man had just caught a pretty large bass and several catfish.
    After we had visited for a while we continued on our way.
    As we resumed our walk, I was suddenly reminded of Jesus encountering fishermen along the shores of Galilee. How special was our walk but being reminded of those fishermen and what Jesus did for us on that resurrection morning so long ago was a wonderful start to this day before Easter.
    Thank you Lord!

  7. Lord, when I am in difficult situations in life and doubt / wonder if You can, “help my unbelief.” Remind me that You are in control and I can rest in Your completed work.

  8. More times than I care to admit I have Panicked and doubted Jesus. His response has ALWAYS been GRACE and LOVE!! ALWAYS!!!!

  9. I am so thankful for what Jesus did for me. It felt really good this week when I shared why we celebrate Easter with someone who didn’t understand.

  10. Father, continue to open my mind to understand the Scriptures, and clothe me with power from on hight to follow Jesus.

  11. Not only did my Savior suffer and die on the cross fior me, but He made sure that He found ways to show people that He was raised from that tomb. They told the stories of their encounters with Him and helped build my faith, too. I must do the same!

  12. Allowing doubt to help you grow deeper in your faith…Keyword is allow! What an amazing revelation! Thanks Lori!

  13. Sometimes I had doubts, but the Holy Spirit comes and tells me: Everything is real and true about Him!!
    Thank you Lord for leaving us your Holy Spirit to clear our minds and hearts!!

  14. Sometimes when I wonder why one person believes in God while another doesn’t, I tend to examine my own reasons. My favorite reason for believing that Jesus Christ is Lord and that he died on a cross for me and for everyone who would asked to be saved and would have faith in His grace is that the good news is just such a great story. I can through faith believe that God the Father loved the world so much that he sent his only son Jesus Christ who voluntarily gave his life as a ransom for us. So I have a choice between believing in this fantastic story, i.e., The Greatest Story Every Told and not believing. I choose to believe because it is such a great story and it makes me feel good to believe it.

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