What Did He Say?

  In our examination of Jesus' appearances after his resurrection, we have not paid much attention to what Jesus said during that time.  Obviously just as the Gospel accounts vary in the number of appearances of Jesus, and to whom he appeared, they vary in what Jesus said.  A common thread, though, is "Peace" or "Fear not".  No doubt it was a fearsome thing to have Jesus appear to you individually or in the midst of a group.  Or perhaps he said that because they were hiding in fear.
  When he walked with the two people on the way to Emmaus he explained the Scriptures to them and how they applied to him (Luke 24:27).  John has Jesus breathe on the disciples to impart the Holy Spirit and send them out.  "'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'  And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven'" (John 20:21-23).  But Matthew has Jesus say something similar earlier in his gospel (Matthew 16:19, 18:18).
  In most of the post-resurrection accounts, though, I think the emphasis is on the fact that he appeared, proving he rose from the dead, and that he ate and drank and spoke to show that he is truly alive.  He was publicly executed, yet he lives.  He was buried, yet he lives.  Even death cannot hold him down.
  For reflection:  If even death cannot hold Jesus down, what is holding me down?
  Let us pray.  Jesus, I repent of being afraid of you and being afraid of others.  I repent of (whatever is holding me down).  Please forgive me.  I want to experience the freedom of being raised from the dead with you.  Be with me now as you were with your disciples then.

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