Luke 24:36-49

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

36 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.”

Pondering Point

This story gives us another piece of the puzzle known as the mission of God that occurs through the disciples of Jesus (past and present). You will see that Jesus instructs them to wait (on the "go" mission) until what was promised by Father God comes to them. What they were waiting for was the Holy Spirit.

• Do you find it difficult or easy to wait on God?
  
• Do you find it difficult or easy to act once there is instruction from God?

As Friday's devotion pointed out, there is value in building a habit of waiting then proceeding from the Holy Spirit's leadership.

Prayer Prompt

Ask the Spirit to help you balance waiting and acting in life -- seeing both as good works in Christ Jesus intended for us to do from the outset (Ephesians 2:10).