Daily Prayer for Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Scripture Luke 24: 38-42
38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.
My mother passed away a number of years ago. She was a woman of sincere faith. Because of her life of faith and her confession, we know that she is with our Savior. Joyfully, we will meet again at the resurrection. In the mean time, we are left with many wonderful memories of her loving care for our family. These memories guide our present care for each other. Her good example is bearing fruit for future generations.
On good example that she practiced was hospitality. She was never rattled if someone else came along for dinner. In fact, while growing up, we had a round kitchen table, and an oval dining room table because her philosophy was that you could always fit in another person at a round table… and we often did!
She would also have a nearly full meal “ready to go” whenever we would show up when traveling, often in the middle of the night. We would sometimes feel that we couldn’t eat late at night. But, that wasn’t really true. Many wonderful late night meals were enjoyed as we reconnected after times of being away from home.
Living people need food. While our bodies can store energy for a time, our hunger reminds us that we are alive! This is a fact that we meet in this gospel reading.
The disciples were still reeling as they struggled to absorb the fact that Jesus, who died on the cross, was now risen from the dead and right in front of them. It would have been easier for them if Jesus had been a ghost! But, Jesus was obviously risen from the dead. He showed them His body, His wounds, and they heard His voice and knew that Jesus really stood right with them in the room.
It was vitally important that the disciples knew that Jesus was physically alive. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then their sins would not be forgiven. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then death itself would still stand as the eternal future of all humanity. So, Jesus helped them by reminding them of their responsibility as hosts. He asked them “Hey, do you have anything to eat?”
Jesus made a simple request for common hospitality. It seems the disciples “woke up” and got busy. They gave Jesus a piece of broiled fish and Jesus ate it in front of them. Yes, Jesus is truly risen from the dead, He is physically alive. He accepted the disciples hospitality! He ate the fish! Sins are forgiven and death is overcome! Alleluia!
Your Savior Jesus is physically alive to this day and you will see Him at the resurrection. You will see all His saints in light and join in the heavenly banquet of eternal life. In the mean time, we celebrate the banquet of life in the hospitality that we offer to others for His sake.
Let us pray
I thank you Lord for helping me throughout my life to appreciate the reality of your resurrection. I look forward to the eternal feast of life that you have promised to me and all who believe. I thank you for your safe keeping of all the saints who have gone before me. Remind me of the opportunities that you have given to me to practice hospitality and care for others. In your name. AMEN