This is the manuscript for the third sermon in the "Witness" series of sermons that will take us to Pentecost Sunday.
The word "witness" often carries heavy baggage. We think of courtrooms, legal depositions, or high-pressure sales pitches on street corners. But in the New Testament, a witness is simply someone who tells the truth about what they have seen and heard.
Being a witness isn't about having a polished script or a perfect life. It is about a continuous process of self-reflection and aligning our daily priorities with God’s will. It’s about moving from "knowing the facts" of the Resurrection to "living the reality" of the Resurrection
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 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. (Luke 24:40-43 NIV)
We often treat Easter Sunday, which was two weeks ago, like a grand finale—the climax of the story where the credits roll and we go back to our "normal" lives. But for the first disciples, the Resurrection wasn't the end; it was a disorienting, exhilarating, and terrifying beginning.
They found themselves in a strange "in-between" time. They knew the tomb was empty, but they didn't yet know how to live in a world where death had been defeated. They had the evidence, but they didn't yet have the empowerment.
Our goal is to move beyond "Easter as an event" and toward "Easter as a lifestyle." We aren't just here to study what happened more than 2,000 years ago; we are here to become the living proof that Jesus is alive today.
The King of Kings has just conquered death, shattered the gates of Hades, and stepped through a locked door—and the first thing He wants is a snack. But this isn't just about a post-resurrection craving. It is a profound theological statement about who He is and what our witness is supposed to look like.
Scripture
Luke 24:36-49 NIV [36] While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” [37] They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. [38] He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? [39] Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” [40] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. [41] And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” [42] They gave him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and he took it and ate it in their presence. [44] He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” [45] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, [47] and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Introduction
We often treat Easter like a grand finale—the climax of the story where the credits roll and we go back to our "normal" lives. But for the first disciples, the Resurrection wasn't the end; it was a disorienting, exhilarating, and terrifying beginning.
They found themselves in a strange "in-between" time. They knew the tomb was empty, but they didn't yet know how to live in a world where death had been defeated. They had the evidence, but they didn't yet have the empowerment.
Last week we started on a seven week journey from Easter to Pentecost where we are going to follow the footsteps of the first believers. I call this seven week journey, this series of sermons “Witness”.
In it we’re moving :
From Fear to Peace: Seeing how Jesus enters our "locked rooms" which we talked about last week. The world tells us "Clean up the room, and then you'll feel better."
But Jesus says: "I am giving you My peace while the door is still locked and the room is still a mess."
We are going to move From Confusion to Clarity: Recognizing the Shepherd’s voice in a noisy world.
From Isolation to Connection: Understanding that we are branches meant to abide in the Vine.
John 15:4-8 NIV 4] Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. [5] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
We’re going From Waiting to Witnessing: Preparing our hearts for the fire of Pentecost.
Our goal is to move beyond "Easter as an event" and toward "Easter as a lifestyle." We aren't just here to study what happened more than 2,000 years ago; we are here to become the living proof that Jesus is alive today.
"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses..." — Acts 1:8
Text:
Luke 24:40-43 NIV[40] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. [41] And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” [42] They gave him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and he took it and ate it in their presence.
Have you ever noticed how many of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances involve food?
He’s on the beach grilling breakfast for the disciples.
John 21:9-12 NIV [9] When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. [10] Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” [11] So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. [12] Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
He’s breaking bread at a table in Emmaus.
Luke 24:30-31 NIV[30] When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. [31] Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
And here, in the Upper Room, in our scripture today, in the middle of a scene filled with terror, wonder, and confusion, Jesus makes a request that is amazingly almost normal:
Look at Luke 24:41 NIV And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
It’s a bit of a disarming moment if you think about it." It captures how Jesus catches the disciples off guard. Instead of a grand, intimidating entrance, He uses the simple, everyday act of cooking or eating to break through their grief and confusion.
Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords has just conquered death, shattered the gates of Hades, and stepped through a locked door—and the first thing He wants is a snack. But this isn't just about a post-resurrection craving for food. It is a profound theological statement about who He is and what our witness is supposed to look like.
1. The Theology of the Mundane: More Than a Ghost
The disciples were terrified because they thought they were seeing a ghost. We often do the same thing today—we "spiritualize" Jesus so much that He becomes a ghost in our lives. We treat Him like a distant abstraction or a Sunday-morning concept.
But Jesus is insistent:
Luke 24:39 NIV Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
By asking for and eating that piece of broiled fish, Jesus anchors His divinity in the physical world.
If Jesus is resurrected in the flesh, then our physical lives matter to Him. Our witness is a "flesh and blood" reality.
1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV says But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
This means that Jesus is the prototype. What happened to Him on that first Easter morning is the "preview" of what is promised to everyone who stays connected to the Vine.
Because He is the "firstfruits," His physical resurrection validates our physical existence. Our bodies, our hunger, our exhaustion—they aren't distractions from our spiritual life; they are the context of it.
2. The Sacred Ordinary: Witness Beyond the Sanctuary
If Jesus’ most profound proof of life happened over a piece of fish, then our most profound witness probably won't happen behind a pulpit. It happens in the ordinary things of life.
1 Peter 3:15 NIV [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
We often reserve "witnessing" for special events, but the Gospel of Luke shows us that Jesus used the dinner table as an altar. When we invite others into our daily lives, we are showing them a Savior who is present in the "here and now," not just the "hereafter."
3. Bridging the Gap: Aligning the Physical and Spiritual
A strong foundation in faith requires us to stop compartmentalizing. We cannot have a "spiritual life" that is disconnected from our "daily life."
If your foundation is strong, your physical priorities will begin to align with God’s will. This includes how we treat our bodies, how we consume resources, and how we spend our time.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV [19] Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; [20] you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
It’s not a quick fix; it’s the daily work of asking: "Does my schedule reflect my Savior? Does my bank account reflect my King? Does my treatment of the clerk at the grocery store reflect the love of Christ?"
4. Opening the Mind: A Constant Guidance
Our text tells us
Luke 24:45 NIV Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Being a witness isn't about having all the answers memorized; it’s about a continuous openness to God's guidance. The same God who opened the disciples' minds is ready to open yours today through His Word.
Psalms 119:105 NIV says [105] Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Faithfulness, which we talked about in Bible Study Wednesday as reliability, trustworthiness, and constancy is staying in that Word daily, allowing it to recalibrate our hearts and correct us. It requires a spirit of self-reflection and a willingness to be redirected.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV [5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Call to Reflection: Who is at Your Table?
I want to challenge you with one question: Where can you invite Jesus to "eat" with you?
Don't look for a mountaintop experience; look at your "to-do" list. Look for the sacred in your most ordinary tasks.
Can you find Christ when you are washing your clothes?
Can you find Him at lunch or dinner?
Can you find Him in the person you’ve been avoiding?
Jesus isn't a ghost haunting the hallways of your past. He is the living Lord who wants to share a meal with you in your present.
Go and be a witness—not of a ghost, but of a Living Savior.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we ask that You would recalibrate our hearts today. Forgive us for the times we’ve kept You locked in a 'Sunday morning box' while we handle the rest of the week on our own.
We ask for the courage to invite You into the mess of our 'locked rooms.' Help us to align our physical priorities—our time, our resources, and our bodies—with Your Will. Open our minds to understand Your Word, and give us the constancy to remain in the Vine. May we go out not just as people who know the story of Easter, but as people who live the reality of it. Amen."
