“Why Are You Troubled”

Originally Posted April 9, 2021

I tend to be surprised when I too often fall short of the mark ….. “Boy, I thought I was better than that… I should have said this or that…I should have been more kind or more bold or more quick to forgive or  more hopeful ….. “

Yet in truth, I don’t think the Lord looks at us this way.  I don’t believe that the Lord is ever surprised by our weakness and frailty. He knows us through and through. Today’s reading from Luke 24 gives us another look at how the Lord sees us. The apostles were bewildered, they had denied him, they didn’t believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, even when he appeared to them they had trouble believing. Yet how did he respond to their weaknesses? He responded with kindness and compassion and understanding and led them thru their sorrow and confusion into the truth….”peace to you…. why are you troubled… why do you question….let me explain things….”

• “…, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit.  And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 
• See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 
• And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”  They gave him a piece of broiled fish,  and he took it and ate before them. 
• Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures… (Luke 24:36-45)

When we fall short of the mark, let us not be afraid to again approach the Lord. He will not be harsh with us, he will be merciful. He knows our frame is weak. He will help us get back on track. He will restore our peace. 

Jesus is committed to getting us all the way home. He paid the highest price for our eternal souls and he will not leave us by the side of the road. The “Great Samaritan” will stop and bandage us up and provide a place of rest and recovery. He will continue to check in on us to make sure we are okay. 

So Easter is the time where we can be even more convinced that the Lord loves us desperately and will not ever leave us. And that is very good news.