Luke 24:36-49 NIV84
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Seeing is not always believing, the disciples responded with fear and doubt when Jesus entered the room. How did Jesus encourage them toward belief? Have you ever considered the Law of Moses (the first five books of the Old Testament), the Prophets and Psalms as prophetic books to inspire belief in the resurrected Christ? How could you use these books to bolster your faith?
Who did Jesus tell them they were? What were they to wait for in the city?
"Power from on high" --- the Holy Spirit --- would enable the disciples to fulfill their roles as witnesses for Christ, but He would not be the witness. Students are empowered to attend college by parents, scholarships, grants, and loans, but they still have to do the work of attending class, studying and taking tests in order to move forward in a degree plan and graduate. The same is true in our walk of discipleship. The Holy Spirit empowers Believers with spiritual gifts, knowledge and understanding, but we have to do the work of prayer, study of Scripture, and obediently exercise our gifts to become effective witnesses. How have you connected with the "power from on high" to grow as a disciple? Do you spend time in the Word asking Him to open your mind to understanding? How have you exercised the gifts you've been given? How do you deal with the tests of faith He places before you?
Father God, thank You for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for the many times I neglect the gifts and refuse to access His power to grow as a witness. Fill me with a desire to fulfill the purpose You have for me and help me to take steps in that direction by devoting time to prayer, prayerful study of Your Word, and obedience.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3 NIV84
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