Through the week with 16 and

Look! See! Touch!

QUESTION O The Salvation Army Handbook Of Doctrine reminds us that we have the ‘freedom to celebrate Christ’s real presence at all meals and in all meetings’. How do we ensure that the fellowship gatherings and meals we participate in are intentional celebrations of the risen Lord Jesus present among us?

Death and life Jesus goes on to explain to the disciples that everything that had happened to him was in accordance with the Scriptures (v44). The invitation to look, see and touch is more than an invitation to understand that Jesus now stands before them alive. It is an invitation to participate in the fulfilment of God’s purposes in the world that he loves so much.

His death accomplishes newness of life for us. As John writes: ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ (John 20:29). That’s us.

We might not be able physically to look, see and touch the risen Lord Jesus, but the Holy Spirit enables us – through the Scriptures – to look at and see Jesus. We can see the new possibilities of life he offers and take hold of the privilege of participating in his mission to redeem the world.

QUESTIONS O How can today’s believers in Jesus witness to the Resurrection? O How do we bring the promised presence of Jesus into everyday encounters? The language of ‘sending’ indicates that we are invited to participate in God’s mission to the world. However, first we have to spend time in his presence, allowing him to interpret the Scriptures to us (see v45) and ensure that we are empowered by his Spirit.

Jesus invited the gathered disciples to look, see and touch. Today, he still sends disciples out to invite other people to look at Jesus, encounter him and take hold of life with him.

Send and stay Jesus promises to send the believers out as witnesses of the Resurrection, but not until they have stayed in the city to wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word apostellǀ that Luke uses to describe Jesus sending the promise of the Father (v49) is the same as that used in Luke 4:18 when Jesus describes himself as sent by the Father, and again in Luke 9:2 when Jesus sends the disciples out to announce the Kingdom. It is from this word that we get ‘apostle’. QUESTION O Where, and to whom, is Jesus asking you to take the message of look, see and touch?

CAPTAIN OLIVER IS A TUTOR AT WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE

WEDNESDAY Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’

( John 20:21 and 22) THURSDAY Christ is alive! No longer bound/ To distant years in Palestine,/ But saving, healing, here and now,/ And touching every place and time.

(SASB 217)

Prayer Risen Lord, be present in my every day; speak words of comfort and reassurance; issue a word of challenge and assign me a task. Abide in me, lead me, inspire me and, in all things, let me see your will and purpose for my life.

FRIDAY Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’

(Mark 16:14 and 15) SATURDAY Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake!/ God’s saving news to all the nations take:/ Proclaim Christ Jesus, Saviour, Lord and King,/ That all the world his worthy praise may sing.

(SASB 922)