We want to segregate your power to the specifically spiritual. A ghost does not have flesh and bones as you do. A ghost can't really interfere with daily life. It is something that fascinates us. It is something we watch on TV. It is not likely to change our lives. But you are not a ghost. You come to us in our real lives. You are willing to share our meals with us. You are happy with our simple baked fish. Into these ordinary circumstances you bring amazing power to transform our lives and hearts.
He said to them,
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the law of Moses
and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
You bring the power of your word right where we think it doesn't belong. You bring your word right into daily rituals like meals. You bring it to the little places where we neglect you. You bring it to the places where it can transform us. Our minds won't be transformed when we watch television shows about supernatural phenomenon. But when you enter our daily lives you encounter us and all of our imperfections. You bring with you the power to heal us.
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are our advocate with the Father. You expiate the sins we do commit and lead us and give us strength so that we can keep your word. Your love in us is what perfects us and makes this obedience possible. In order to say "I know him" we have to let this love have its way in us. All of us try to keep you relegated to the TV novelty category. But you come to the mundane, the ritual, and the routine so that we can truly say, "I know him".
As we are changed we hear Jesus say, "You are witnesses of these things." Just as you lead us to repentance, conversion, and forgiveness you want us to lead others. They act out of ignorance just as we did. But this is all part of the plan. It doesn't take you by surprise. You use it all to set the stage for the resurrection. This morning we receive the benefits thereof. We receive the power you pour out. And we receive your call to share it.
Just like the psalmist our own stories become case studies for your resurrection power.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
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