What Christ offers us to offer others.
Luke 24:36b-48
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost 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 Yet for all their joy they were still disbelieving and wondering, and 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 in their presence. 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, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Acts 3:12-19
When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “Fellow Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him.14 But you rejected the holy and righteous one and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17 “And now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,
The passages of Luke 24:36b-48 and Acts 3 contain compelling stories that illustrate moments of transformation and new beginnings in Christ. These narratives offer us solace in the knowledge that Christ gives us the chance to leave behind our old ways and embrace a new life in Him. In this context, we will examine these stories from a reformed perspective and meticulously analyze their theological insights and implications for the contemporary world.
Luke employs a didactic writing style in these passages, a style of writing that uses a subject or narrative to teach the reader about something without explicitly stating it. In this case, Luke is teaching us what Christ can do for us. Looking at the narrative from this perspective makes these stories not only engaging but also informative and thought-provoking.
Luke 24:36b-48 – The Resurrected Christ Appearing to His Disciples
The encounter between Jesus and his disciples after his resurrection is a poignant reminder of the emotional turmoil that they were experiencing. The disciples were still reeling with shock and disbelief when Jesus suddenly appeared among them, and understandably, they were startled. To help ease their anxieties, Jesus showed them his hands and feet and invited them to touch him to verify that he was indeed alive. He then proceeded to share with them how his suffering, death, and resurrection were all part of God's redemptive plan, as foretold in the scriptures, the Old Testament. This was a transformative moment for the disciples, as it helped them understand the Scriptures and reaffirm their faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
In this passage, we witness Jesus calm his disciples down in a stressful situation by showing empathy and understanding; he was able to bring peace to their minds. This is a powerful lesson that applies to all of us who accept Christ as our savior. Empathy and understanding can be precious tools to help us overcome even the most challenging obstacles. Whether we're dealing with personal problems, societal issues, or global crises, the ability to connect with others and see things from their perspective can inspire us to be our best selves and make a positive impact on the world. This passage reminds us that, even when things seem hard, Christ offers us the power to create a better tomorrow through compassion and understanding.
The moment when the disciples encountered the resurrected Christ was a turning point for them. Initially, they were filled with despair and doubt, but that all changed when they realized that Christ had triumphed over death. Jesus then gave them a mission to spread the word about repentance and forgiveness in his name to people all over the world. This new mission marked a fresh start for the disciples, as they were now empowered by the Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim the gospel and usher in a new era of God's kingdom on earth. Jesus' ability to calm his disciples is a powerful demonstration of his authority and control. Similarly, when we seek to follow God's will, we can trust in His power to calm our minds and prepare us to spread the word with confidence. With steadfast faith, we can overcome any fear or uncertainty and boldly proclaim the message of Christ to the world.
Acts 3 – Peter Heals a Lame Beggar at the Temple Gate
In Acts 3, we find a heartwarming story that highlights the power of the newly minted apostles’ beginnings through the Holy Spirit. As Peter and John encounter a beggar who is lame and seeking help at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, they are moved with compassion. Though they have no material possessions to offer him, Peter looks at him with unwavering faith and commands him to rise and walk in the name of Jesus Christ. A miracle occurs as the man is instantly healed, causing a commotion among the onlookers. This event inspires many to believe in the power of Christ and serves as a testament to the love and compassion that Christ has for all of us.
The man who had been lame from birth until now had to rely on the kindness of others. He could now walk, jump, and give thanks to God. His physical healing reflects the spiritual healing and renewal that Christ offers to all believers. Peter, through this act of kindness and strength, proclaims the message of redemption and restoration in Christ, inviting others to experience the new beginnings that come from putting faith in the risen Savior. The power of faith and the love of Christ shown here reassures us that no matter how dire our situation may seem, there is always hope for a new beginning through Jesus.
The beggar in the story was in a desperate situation. We have all felt as if the world was closing in on us, just like the beggar. Maybe it was something that happened when you were in school or an incident at work. Perhaps it was because of a fight with a family member or friend. Maybe it was the loss of a family member or a childhood friend. Possibly a medical diagnosis that changed your entire worldview. Just as when Peter and John came across this man at the temple gate, they saw beyond his physical limitations and recognized his inherent worth as a child of God; Christ also looks at you the same way, as a child of God, worthy of forgiveness and healing. No matter the situation your life is in, He will forgive you.
Peter's act of healing the beggar in the name of Christ was not only a demonstration of divine power but also a testament to the compassion and love that Christ has for all of us. It shows that Christ is not concerned with our social status or physical abilities but rather with the state of our hearts and our willingness to put our trust in Him. Through this act of kindness, Peter was able to proclaim the message of redemption and restoration in Christ. But like the beggar, we must believe that Christ is with us; we must accept him as our savior, confessing our sins in order to receive the grace he offers.
In many ways, the story of the beggar at the Beautiful Gate is a metaphor for the spiritual journey that we all undertake as believers. We all have our limitations and struggles, but through faith in Christ, we can experience a new beginning. Just as the beggar was able to walk and jump for joy after being healed, we, too, can experience spiritual healing and renewal when we put our trust in Christ.
When we reflect upon the events chronicled in Luke 24:36b-48 and Acts 3, we are reminded of the transformative and life-changing power of Christ. Through Him, we are granted the gift of forgiveness, redemption, and restoration, which enable us to experience a renewed purpose. Just as the disciples were entrusted with the responsibility of bearing witness to Christ's resurrection, the miraculous healing of the lame beggar proved the potency of that Good News. Like the disciples, we, too, are called upon to embrace the boundless possibilities of new life that become available to us through Christ. Luke invites his readers to follow in Christ's footsteps by giving examples of others who did just that. The disciples left all they knew to become His followers, and just as the lame man was healed and became a witness to the power of Christ, we, too, can experience the transformative power of Christ in our lives. Throughout history, countless individuals have accepted this invitation and been changed by Jesus's love and grace. And the invitation still stands today. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you embark on this journey of faith and trust in Christ's restorative influence in your life, then go out and share the Good News!
In Christ, there is a fresh start right here… in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.
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