They still didn’t believe. And let’s face it. It would pretty tough to believe Jesus had risen from the dead even as he was standing right before them. Which he was.
He invited them to touch him so that they could see he was not a ghost. When that still wasn’t convincing enough, he asked them for dinner. And then to further convince him, he explained to them that this should’nt shock them as he was prophesied about in Moses, the Prophets and Psalms. Even his resurrection.
Then he told them some important matters.
1) He was commissioning them to go. They would be the eye-witnesses of his resurrection.
2) Their message would be the repentance and forgiveness of sins that came through him.
3) They would testify to these things, but they were first to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and power, something also prophesied in Scripture.
I am sure that their whole world was turned upside in that moment. Their friend was back. They would testify to the farthest places of earth. And they would be given the Spirit and power of God prophesied about in Joel. Talk about life-changing.
This is the kind of news that is so joyful one cannot contain it.
It’s of particular interest that the message to all of us is that there is repentance and forgiveness of sins. Those of us who have walked with Christ for a long time forget how powerful this is.
Every religion in the world, except for the followers of Jesus, are trying to find forgiveness of sin through good works.
It’s futile.
But Jesus was the one who took our sins upon himself. He paid for them. And because he is the eternal Son of God, he is able to make way for the forgiveness of sins for all humanity, for those receive it.
And we are the ones who get to testify to this. We are witnesses that these things are true. I am witness to this truth as I was just recently reminded of this in a life-changing way.
So for those who do not know Christ, there is repentance and forgiveness of sins through Him. You will never be able to achieve these things through good works.
And for those who do know Christ, this is your testimony. This is your witness just like a witness on a stand. Your testimony is that Jesus grants us repentance and forgiveness of sins through him.
Through Christ, we are reconciled back to God.
Forever.
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 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.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 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.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 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.”
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.