Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
"I believe because I am persuaded."
"I am persuaded because I believe."
These two statements are not interchangeable. However, they are complementary. In our Gospel passage from Luke 24:36-49, Jesus gives his disciples persuasive evidence of his resurrection. Are they persuaded enough to believe him? It's hard to say. In verse 41 they are disbelieving because of joy. Do they really not believe? Good question.
What we do know is that in verse 45 Jesus "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." At this point, they believed. This resulted in their being persuaded. Suddenly the facts they knew actually made sense and the picture was complete.
With this confidence - belief and persuasion - the disciples were ready to live out their Christian life as witnesses of the resurrection. Jesus shows himself as victorious over death. This includes your death and my death. There's no need to be intimidated by anything in this life.
I believe.
I am persuaded.
Thanks be to God.
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