A Seared Conscience

Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

— Luke 23:11

 

Talk about opportunity. Herod had the greatest Old Testament prophet ever, John the Baptist, locked up. He could call on him 24/7, but he had John executed—even beheaded. Worse yet, he later had standing before him God incarnate, the Creator of the universe in human form: Jesus Christ himself. But Herod just wanted Jesus to do a trick. Herod could have poured out his heart, confessed his sins, found pardon, and resensitized his seared conscience. But he did not. And Jesus did no miracles for him.

A Permanent Reminder

"Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself."

— Luke 24:39

 

What did the resurrected body of Jesus look like? The Bible tells us that after Jesus' cruel torture, crucifixion, and three days in the tomb, He was recognizable, and that His followers knew who He was.

We know that He had a body of flesh and bone. Jesus told the disciples, "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have" (Luke 24:39).

Go Tell Peter

But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.

— Mark 16:7

 

Perhaps the most notable of Jesus' resurrection appearances is when He met Simon Peter. We all know how Peter denied and deserted the Lord. Peter was devastated by his own unfaithfulness; and he really needed encouragement.

The last sight Peter had of his Lord was as Jesus was taken away for trial. Poor Peter, his world came crashing in on him. He had so many regrets. He was never even able to tell the Lord he was sorry.

How's your Appetite?

It has been said that more have been killed by food than by poison. The second best can often be the worst enemy of the best.

That is what Jesus was talking about in the Parable of the Sower when He said, "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity" (Luke 8:14 NKJV).