Luke 24:41-43 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

There are two things about this story that strike me. The first is the proof that our resurrection bodies will still be able to eat. Whether we will need to eat is a different question, but the pleasure of eating won’t be taken from us. However, that strikes me as a very minor, peripheral issue. Of more significance, at this point at any rate, is the way the disciples had trouble believing Jesus was really there with them in the flesh, after they had seen Him brutally crucified. We have the expression “too good to be true,” and that was exactly their response. Sometimes that phrase is an appropriate cautionary note, particularly with get-rich-quick schemes, but sometimes God just likes to dump good things on us. A recent news item comes to mind, where a woman got fired, went home, and discovered her husband had bought a lottery ticket on his way home and they had won a million dollars. We shouldn’t live our lives counting on such things, but we need to remember that God is certainly capable of doing them. It can be a delicate balance. We shouldn’t be following God because of all the good stuff He can do for us, because as Jesus said, in this world we will have trouble. (John 16:33) At the same time, we need to remember that Jesus also said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) Paul rightly pointed out, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) The more we meditate on that, the more we get into too-good-to-be-true territory! In no way are we to be greedy or focused on physical pleasures and satisfactions, but we need to remember that we serve a loving heavenly Father who delights to do good things for us, and not doubt Him.

This is easy for me to talk about because I feel I have been incredibly blessed. That doesn’t mean I’ve escaped the “trouble” Jesus talked about, but it does mean that I have no trouble recommending the life of faith to anyone. Several times when I have told people about my life they have said, “You should write a book!” I might yet do that, but the reason for people’s reaction has been that God has been so very gracious to me. We have had problems along the way, chief of which being my wife’s medical issues, but I have every reason to be grateful, and even in awe of God’s grace. The whole story of salvation, that God would love His creation so much that He would send His own Son, part of himself, really, to earth to take the penalty for human sin and provide salvation for all who would believe, is the ultimate good that seems unreal because of its very magnitude. There are perhaps some people who haven’t become Christians because they can’t wrap their minds around the idea that God would be so gracious. The flip side is the many people who look at all the negative things in the world and decide that God either isn’t good and loving or He isn’t omnipotent. They need to open their eyes and realize that mankind has earned the bad stuff, but God loves us anyway. My calling is to help them open their eyes!

Father, thank You for this reminder. I could go on and on, writing about Your goodness and grace. Help me be an open, effective channel of that grace to all around me so that they may be drawn to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!