UP

And what about some of the rest of the story?

A time after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples.  They were afraid, thinking they had seen a spirit.

"And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled?  and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."  Luke 24:38, 39

They then believed.  He asked them if they had any meat and they gave him a piece of broiled fish and honeycomb to eat.  

His disciple, Thomas, was not in the number there.  The other disciples told Thomas of the meeting with Jesus.  He said that unless he saw the nail prints in Jesus' hands, put his finger in the nail prints, and thrust his hand into his side, he would not believe.  Thus, the phrase "Doubting Thomas".

Eight days later, Jesus appeared to them again with Thomas in the group.  Jesus told Thomas to see the prints, "and be not faithless, but believing".  Thomas answered, "My Lord and my God."

Jesus then said to Thomas "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."  

I figure those that have not seen, yet believed would include me in that number.  By faith I do believe in Jesus and the work he did here for me and for my salvation.

Jesus then said from Luke 24:44-48:

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

And said unto them, Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And ye are witnesses of these things."

Jesus also told them "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghose is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."  Acts 1:7,8

What happened next, you might ask?  And where is Jesus today?

The first chapter of the book of Acts also documents the ascension of Jesus.  It was while the disciples watched that he was taken up and a cloud took him out of their sight.  They were looking up toward heaven and "two men stood by in white apparel"  and said, " Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."  Acts 1:11

That tells me to look up.  Keep looking UP.   Jesus will come again in the clouds to receive us "unto himself that where he is, there we shall be also."  This is one of the very greatest promises made to us.  

When he returns in power and glory, we shall see Jesus....just as he is!

AMEN!