For forty years I led you through the desert … yet your sandals did not wear out." Duet. 29:5
Acts 1:3
…to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Many infallible proofs, only some of which are recorded.
John 21:9-10
Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
What a breakfast! Bread and fish upon the fire!
John 20:6-9
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.
John 19:23
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.
The Fathers interpreted the tunic as representing Christ’s body in two ways. That it is woven from the top shows Christ came down from heaven; that it is without seam symbolizes the unity of the Church.
John 18:6
Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Why did they fall to the ground? Because of the power inherent in the self-identifying words of the same God who first spoke them to Moses at the burning bush.
How the soldiers were able to get up and continue has long been a mystery to me.
John 17:24-25
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father!”
We have been permitted to eavesdrop, as it were, on this sacred communication between the Father and the Son. What a privilege!
John 16:13
And when He may come — the Spirit of truth — He will guide you to all the truth, for He will not speak from Himself, but as many things as He will hear He will speak, and the coming things He will tell you. He will glorify me, because of mine He will take, and will tell to you.
Even the Holy Spirit of God does not speak from himself!
John 15:26
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.”
The Holy Spirit, who is sent by the Son, proceeds from the Father alone. He does not proceed from the Father fillioque (and the Son).
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Christ is the journey and its destination. He is the beginning and the end and all things in the middle, for by Him “all things consist.”
John 13:6-9
Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
Peter’s sentiment ought to resonate in the heart of every Christian.
