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structure - Luke frames this story with: 1) a traditional
greeting; 2) physical verification; 3) theological verification; and 4) the commissioning
of the disciples.
appearance and proofs - Luke, more than any other gospel writer, is interested
in the reality of the physical body of the risen Lord. While the mere appearance of Jesus
brings some to faith, in Luke, it is the proofs that lead to belief. [1]
luke’s certitude - Luke wants to give us proofs for the resurrection of
Jesus; for some, such proofs are reassuring and faith-inspiring; for others such evidence
is moot. But we know that something changed the disciples, something sustained them
through their upcoming trials; something centered their teaching not so much in the
teachings of Jesus as in the central notion of the death and resurrection of Jesus. But
for us,"where the Lord’s physical hands and feet are not longer present, the
ministry of the hands of countless saints in simple and sincere ministries continues to
bear witness to the Lord’s living presence. Although he may not appear in our midst
to eat broiled fish, his presence is tangible in soup kitchens, around the kitchen table,
and around the altar table . . . As in the first century so now the most convincing proof
of the resurrection is the daily testimony of the faithful that the Christ still lives and
the work of his kingdom continues." [2]
 What has more important to your faith-lectures concerning physical evidence of
Jesus’ resurrection? The stories of Jesus appearing to his followers following his
death? The Scriptures that point to a suffering / rising Messiah? Changed lives in light
of Jesus’ continuing presence?
Which post-resurrection story about Jesus do you enjoy most? (Anywhere in the synoptic
or Johannine traditions?)
 Two
popular books that many Christian distributors are placing in public bookstands are Case
for Christ and Case for Faith, both by atheist-turned Christian, Lee Stroebel.
The first book tells of his own personal journey to faith in Christ. The second book
provides biblical, theological answers to tough questions that presumably non-Christians
are asking. It would be useful to draw upon these popular books as a way to connect with
Luke’s agenda of providing evidence for faith. But don’t stop there, for many
persons seek a different kind of "evidence" for Christianity and faith. I would
also explore New Interpreter Bible’s (vol. !X) commentary section on this, a part of
which is quoted above as a way to see Christ still active-though with different hands and
feet.
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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible IX (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), pp. 486.
[2] Ibid, page 490.
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