Jesus appeared to the disciples and others to show them living proof that He was alive. He did not appear just once but multiple times between His resurrection and Pentecost when He returned to heaven. Over the period of 40 days He met in various places to reassure them He was alive, had returned from the dead and that their faith in Him was real and true. On Resurrection Sunday He met the women in the garden, and the two men walking on the Road to Emmaus. In today’s passage, Jesus appeared to those disciples gathered in the Upper Room.
“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 them 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.” Luke 24:36-43
What was their immediate concern? Is Jesus real or are we experiencing hallucinations? What was Jesus immediate concern? Jesus wanted them to have and be at peace. He did not want them anxious or fearful but open and willing to welcome Him into their midst. What is your reaction when confronted by Jesus? Do you doubt who Jesus is and question His reaching out to you or do you welcome Him with peace?
Jesus reassured the disciples that He was a real living being just as He promised. He proved it to them by calmly showing them His hands and feet- pierced at the cross, and eating food with them. 
How does Jesus make himself known to you? Does He come to you in prayer, in the helping hands of others or through His Word? Jesus can and does reveal himself to us if we are open and willing. In Matthew 7:7 Jesus tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Be a seeker today and know the joy of His presence. Be amazed as you encounter the living Lord Jesus, just as the disciples did in the upper room. Each encounter with Jesus brings new revelation and understanding of who He is! Be open to Him and He will give you His peace.
Linda
For such a time as this, my new book Strategic Living is perfect. We all wonder, while we’re at home sheltering in place because of the Covid-19, what we can do to reach others and survive ourselves. In my new book, Strategic Living I take a biblical look at godly character and seek to challenge the reader to reflect and take action. Becoming more and more like Jesus is a process called sanctification and takes deliberate effort and intentionality. This new devotional gives concrete examples and direction on how God can and does shape our lives and explores perhaps new and different ways God desires that we act. The book can be used for individual devotions or for group study. Questions for group discussion are included along with key memory verses.
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Wouldn’t you have loved to have been there and listened to Jesus explain all about Himself
I pray that my Lenten Blogs have brought you hope and encouragement these past 6 weeks. I have been mightily blessed by being with you and in the scriptures each day. I am still pondering the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice and all the truths I have gleaned from the book of Ephesians. I will continue writing on the post-resurrection appearances leading to Pentecost (40 days after the cross). Christ appeared many times, before His ascension, to many individuals and groups. They are affirming and touching encounters that teach us more about the depth of His love and care for us.
My plan to blog through the entire book of Ephesians during Lent was off by only 1 day. Here are the concluding verses of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
Paul’s letter started with praise and thanksgiving for the faith of the Ephesian believers and ended with his desire that they continue to walk in faith filled with Jesus’ love and peace for themselves and towards others. 
Who do you know that is in the need of prayer for their ministry of service? Sunday School teachers need it, Pastors need it, Worship leaders need it, Church leaders need it, ….. we all stand in the need of prayer to be able to go out and give out the message of hope in Jesus to a hurting world. For my first book, 
empty but will accomplish His purposes. A great promise to claim!
Prayers are to be constantly on our lips for other believers. It is a weapon that is to be used at all times for all occasions. Paul exhorts us to stay vigilant for attacks upon our faith, trials that test our resolve or ideas that cause us to doubt. Being alert keeps you or other believers from being taken by surprise by the things of the world that would cause you to stumble. 
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead
righteousness, shoes of the gospel and the belt of truth. However, the sword of the Spirit is our only physical weapon that can be used both offensively and defensively. “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” 
God’s Word is active and alive, remember saying or using the words of God has power to effect lives for Him. God’s Word helps us to discern God’s truth and discover our hearts intentions. God’s Word has power and should be treated with reverence as it is God’s defensive gift to us for use in our struggles here on earth. Know it, use it and be transformed by it! 
of salvation. 
arguments against the faith can be overcome with all thoughts captivated by Christ and His truths. Having a firmly placed and active helmet helps us keep our shield of faith in place and solidifies who we are in Christ. We need to think like kingdom citizens. Protecting our minds from attacks of stray thoughts, doubts, letting fear creep in and control us or letting desires over come what we know is right are all things we are vulnerable to without a good helmet. 
Ephesians 6:16 describes the Shield of Faith that we must possess as believers so that we may combat the enemy, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;” Paul in these passages is comparing our Christian walk and witness to going into or being in battle each day. In verse 12 he had reminded us that the forces of evil in this world can be both physical and spiritual so we must always be ready. Satan cannot take our salvation away but he can destroy our witness and effectiveness for God. As Paul said here, we must be ready in all circumstances.
Because Christ died on the cross and rose for the dead,
protected. But what kind of foot wear is Paul suggesting, spiritual footwear that only comes through the gospel’s good news = peace. “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” Ephesians 6:15
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 
