May 12, 2024 Ascension Sunday Luke 24:44-53 Because Jesus gave the disciples everything they needed to turn their doubts and fears into praise and worship – peace, revelation, assurance, and blessing – we can rest assured that when we are in need, Christ will give us what we need. Recently, I noticed that when someone approached Jesus with doubt, he did not rebuke them. “Doubting Thomas” was not rebuked. Even those who doubted Jesus and sought to challenge him were given what was needed that they believed. “You need proof? Physical, tangible, empirical proof? Cool. Touch my skin. Feel my bones. I’m hungry. Pass me some of that fish and watch me eat.” We are here this morning not so that we will have all of our suspicions answered or to have confirmed what we already know. The stories we read, the songs we sing, and the prayers we pray are common knowledge even for those who are not here on Sunday morning. So, I ask again, why are we here? We are here because, like the first twelve, we as witnesses to Christ's works in the world. Perhaps the real test of a Sunday morning is not how or why you arrived but how you will leave. Get full access to Brewing Theology at teerhardy.substack.com/subscribe