Forgiveness is Close at Hand: Luke 24: 35-48

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“See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.”

The Risen Savior's body still bore the marks of His crucifixion. There was no mistaking whom He was - - the same man that they had all forsaken on Calvary. The very hands that had been pierced on the cross now reached out to His apostles in the Upper Room as He told them not to fear.

All was forgiven.

When we, too, are in need of forgiveness, Jesus extends the same helping hand to us. His handshake is the firm, callused grip of a carpenter; the same powerful grasp that pulled Simon from the depths; the same sure-handed grip that swung the whip as He cleansed the temple.

But it is also the soothing hand that touched and healed the lepers; the gentle hand that hugged children close to His breast; the hand that turned spittle and mud into a healing balm; the finger that wrote in the dust, wiping away sin. It is the hand that fed millions, broke bread with His closest friends and shared a final morsel with His betrayer.

Jesus had a choice to make when He appeared in the Upper Room, in the midst of the very men who had betrayed Him. He could have extended a fist and demanded that they grovel before Him, pleading for mercy; but, instead, He extended and open palm in a sign of peace and forgiveness. In so doing, He made clear to all of us that forgiveness is always close at hand.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

They told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.

Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not.

But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit.

And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat?

They offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them. And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

He said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Ignite your world!

Bob Larranaga