Be a ‘beacon’

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. – Luke 24:36-43

In our weekly worship service, we, individually and collectively, bring our light, our response, our prayer, and confession, our love and compassion to share with the other worshippers. Each one of us is important to the worship service and to the church family.

We are all called to function in the body of Christ, the church. The Spirit calls us all to work at building the Lord’s kingdom here on earth.

The text tells us that Jesus came and stood amidst the disciples, the men whom he had picked to change the world. They were all afraid and huddled together behind closed doors.

These were also the ones who had deserted him, ran away after his conviction, crucifixion and death. He stood before them alive, in person, with words of peace. He came to show them his love and care for them.

Our grief and fear cause us to doubt God. Therefore, when we are bewildered, confused and afraid, Jesus comes in our midst. He comes to comfort us and gives us reassurance.

He stood before them giving them proof of his resurrection. He invited them to touch him and then he asked for something to eat, to show them that he was not just a ghost. Jesus’ presence among them was too good not to be true. The text says, they disbelieved for joy.

But his presence was not an illusion. He was truly there before them in person.

As they slowly began to take in the shock of the moment, Jesus, we are told, opened their minds, so that they could understand the scriptures. They, therefore, recommitted to a life of telling and retelling of his resurrection.

Prior to his death, they jockeyed for preferred positions of honor in his kingdom. Now, as he opened their minds, they understood the real mission he was preparing them to carry out.

Consequently, they became witnesses to the world, beginning in Jerusalem. Yes, their witness began in the very place where hope had died on Good Friday, the very place where they had failed him.

He told them, “You are witnesses of these things.” They were to tell and retell this good news. Even though the telling of this gospel would come at a cost, they were not to be impeded from telling and carrying the gospel to the world.

As witnesses, they were not telling it as hearsay. They were telling based upon their own knowledge of what had really and truly happened before their very eyes.

They were to present this gospel to the world, so that all men, everywhere, could be called to faith in Jesus Christ. They were to proclaim it to all nations. No one was excluded from God’s grace and mercy.

Every one of them was important to this mission. Because they were faithful, we are witnesses today. We, too, are to be faithful to our calling.

We are called to share the light of the gospel with those who are in darkness. The world is full of people in darkness. Be a beacon to the people of the world. Amen.

• Rev. Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Nassau, 119 John F. Kennedy Drive, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas; or telephone: 426-9084; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com; website: www.nassaulutheranchurch.org.   

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