346 -- Many Convincing Ways
January 3 (1/3/25) in Godsfield -- Acts 1:3
After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God's Kingdom. -- Acts 1:3
Whenever a great surprise happens, a wonderful piece of news, why is our first response, "I don't believe it!?"
It's too good to be true? We aren't deserving? We never saw it coming? I am not up to it? I am afraid of the unexpected?
It's a natural thing, for whatever reason, so we will not be too hard on the disciples for not believing Jesus when he first appears "after his suffering."
Many convincing proofs? One should be enough, we say, but do we trust ourselves afterward, when we are by ourselves? Did I really see it? Could it be? Let's go over this one more time; tell me what you saw, did you see it, too?
Jesus stands before the disciples alive -- when he had been dead -- but not alive in the Lazarus way, needing someone to unwrap the burial cloths; he was alive in the resurrected, imperishable way, real, touchable, healed, recognizable and yet different -- here and yet moving on.
Here today, some other here tomorrow. Many convincing proofs over a period of forty days (think of the time of now until Valentine's Day.). Showing up in His own time, and yet leaving everyone who sees Him plenty of time not seeing him, in order to practice their faith.
The proofs are convincing -- be convinced.
The proofs are many -- let them be enough.
He is alive -- listen to him talk about the Kingdom and take it to heart.
Still skeptical because you have to trust the witness of others, so long ago? They understand, because they needed the convincing proofs, too.
So look around, the convincing proofs are here, too. Jesus is still appearing to the hearts of surprising, and surprised, people. They are touched and they are changed, and they are convinced, and they are happy to share it with you.
And God gives you faith in order to put it into practice -- it is not deception, it is not denial, it is trust -- the ability to see what is there, which you had not seen before. It lets you know what is real.
It's not making something up; it's letting something in.
Don't ask for proof; ask for faith. That will show you the proof.
Love ya,
Paul