Jesus in Upper Room
04/26/09 01:35 Filed in: Faith
"He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart?" (Luke 24: 35-48)
The Lord’s sudden appearance in the upper room is a reminder to all of us that Jesus can show up at any time and in any place - - often where we least expect to find Him. After all, He showed up in a stable. He showed up among the poor, the sick, the outcasts of society. He showed up on calvary hanging between two criminals. And He showed up at the empty tomb.
The Lord’s sudden appearance in the upper room is a reminder to all of us that Jesus can show up at any time and in any place - - often where we least expect to find Him. After all, He showed up in a stable. He showed up among the poor, the sick, the outcasts of society. He showed up on calvary hanging between two criminals. And He showed up at the empty tomb.
"He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart?" (Luke 24: 35-48)
The Lord’s sudden appearance in the upper room is a reminder to all of us that Jesus can show up at any time and in any place - - often where we least expect to find Him. After all, He showed up in a stable. He showed up among the poor, the sick, the outcasts of society. He showed up on calvary hanging between two criminals. And He showed up at the empty tomb.
When He showed up in the flesh and blood at the upper room, the apostles were “terrified.” They could scarcely believe their eyes. He had to calm their troubled hearts by showing them the wounds in His hands and His feet. He had to break bread with them before they fully comprehended what they were seeing. Then, He had to explain the scriptures and tell them what He expected of them:
“Ye are witnesses of these things,” He said.
Today, we are all His witnesses, but in order to testify for the Lord, we must follow His example and show up wherever we are needed. He is always there for us and we have to muster enough faith to be there for Him.
In a difficult economy, the natural tendency is to look inward rather than outward. But, as Edward Bok said, “Life is more than making money, and the man who misses this truth misses the greatest joy and satisfaction that can come into his life - - service to others.”
In comforting others, we also comfort ourselves. It all begins with showing up. We have to show up for Mass and Bible study. We have to show up at hospitals, homeless shelters, food banks, thrift stores and other ministries. We have to show up in some way every day. We have to have faith.
How will you show up today?
The Lord’s sudden appearance in the upper room is a reminder to all of us that Jesus can show up at any time and in any place - - often where we least expect to find Him. After all, He showed up in a stable. He showed up among the poor, the sick, the outcasts of society. He showed up on calvary hanging between two criminals. And He showed up at the empty tomb.
When He showed up in the flesh and blood at the upper room, the apostles were “terrified.” They could scarcely believe their eyes. He had to calm their troubled hearts by showing them the wounds in His hands and His feet. He had to break bread with them before they fully comprehended what they were seeing. Then, He had to explain the scriptures and tell them what He expected of them:
“Ye are witnesses of these things,” He said.
Today, we are all His witnesses, but in order to testify for the Lord, we must follow His example and show up wherever we are needed. He is always there for us and we have to muster enough faith to be there for Him.
In a difficult economy, the natural tendency is to look inward rather than outward. But, as Edward Bok said, “Life is more than making money, and the man who misses this truth misses the greatest joy and satisfaction that can come into his life - - service to others.”
In comforting others, we also comfort ourselves. It all begins with showing up. We have to show up for Mass and Bible study. We have to show up at hospitals, homeless shelters, food banks, thrift stores and other ministries. We have to show up in some way every day. We have to have faith.
How will you show up today?
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