City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 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.”

-Luke 24:36-43 ESV

Reflection

The eleven disciples (Judas had died by suicide (Matthew 27:3-5)) and their friends (Luke 24:33) heard impossible news, and Jesus Himself appeared to confirm they had told the Truth by appearing in flesh and bone with a greeting of peace, or “Shalom” in Hebrew. “Shalom” was, and still is, a Jewish greeting meaning “hello” and “goodbye,” in literal English it means “peace”. Hebrew words have deeper meaning beyond the superficial translation, just like “Shema” literally in English means “hear,” but the Hebrew meaning is to listen with the intent to understand and put into practice. “Shalom” as Jesus spoke means wholeness, well-being, and right relationships. He appeared to His friends to let them know He had brought wholeness, well-being, and right relationship with God as He had fulfilled the work on the cross (Matthew 27:50-53).

The Gospel of John mentions blood and water coming out of Jesus’ spear-pierced side, this was due to either the blood settling after death or from the water actually being pericardial or pleural fluid build-up. John wanted to emphasize to the readers Jesus had definitely died (John 9:33-34). Jesus’ disciples and friends thought they were seeing His ghost, not only a frightening vision, but associating with necromancy was considered an abominable practice in Judaism (Deuteronomy 18:10-12), punishable by death (Exodus 22:18). But Jesus said He would rise from the dead (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31), not that His ghost would come back. Jesus proves He is not a ghost or a hallucination but living flesh come back from the dead by allowing His friends to feel His nail marks and pierced side (John 20:27).

Jesus’ resurrection had overcome His disciples and friends with amazement, their disbelief came from processing the marvelous fact that Jesus was indeed alive. He gives further proof by taking a fish (the NKJV says, “and some honeycomb”) and eating it because a ghost cannot hold physical objects or consume food.

Application

Jesus came to bring Shalom: wholeness, well-being, and right relationship with God. This can involve questioning and confronting your fears and processing emotions. What fears do you have that need to be questioned and confronted? What emotions need to be processed?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing me Shalom. Please help me to question and confront my fears and to process my emotions. In Your name I pray, amen.