Most gods fit on peoples' shelves or in their shrines. They're statues. They're hollow. They're made of gold, silver, ceramic or cement.
There are other gods that seem highly spiritual. Some people worship...well, spirits, energies, the Earth, ghosts, you name it.
While God is definitely a spirit, I also love that He was also once a real guy-God. As I read the story of Jesus' death and resurrection today for the third time in about a month (yup, we just finished our third Gospel today!), this is what stood out to me:
Jesus appeared to them and said,
"Peace be with you."
They thought they were seeing a ghost
and were scared half to death.
He continued with them,
"Don't be upset,
and don't let all these doubting questions take over.
Look at my hands; look at my feet
—it's really me. Touch me.
Look me over from head to toe.
A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this."
If you read the passage with me today, do you remember what happened next?
I never noticed it before, but it actually made me smile and just think how real, how cool Jesus really is. Here's what it says:
He asked, "Do you have any food here?"
They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked.
He took it and ate it right before their eyes.
I think it's actually kind of funny this little scene made it into the Bible. I mean, really? How important is it for us to know that Jesus ate some leftovers after His resurrection?
But as I read this, it struck me as one example of how real...how normal...He is. In the midst of one of the biggest supernatural events in history, He sounds like a typical guy hanging out with His friends saying, "Hey! Do you have anything I could eat?"
The disciples don't even think twice about offering Him leftovers--another fact I find interesting.
I don't know about you, but when most of my friends come to visit, I don't offer them leftovers. I make an extra effort for my guests...except for the friends who are truly like family. If those friends are visiting, I prepare some special meals for them or take them out to dinner. But I'll also show them around my refrigerator, pantry and cupboards and say, "Feel free to take anything you'd like. You know the ropes--this is your home."
When Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, they witnessed a major miracle. They believed that He was the Messiah and God in flesh...but they also saw Him as their close and trusted friend. He was the friend who didn't expect the fuss (even though He probably deserves it more than anyone!). He was real. He fit with them--and was close enough to know His way around their cupboards.
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