Faith cannot be stockpiled. It needs a pattern of replenishment. Today, the disciples are hungry. While their stomachs may not be rumbling, their hunger is shown in their lack of certainty about who Jesus is. Even though they were just talking about how Jesus walked with two of them on the road to Emmaus, his real presence now frightens them. Doubt, disbelief, and fear are like hunger to the disciples.

Jesus relieves the hunger with his risen presence. When the disciples are unsure what to make of the mess that life has become, Jesus shows up. When their hunger for truth and certainty is most apparent, Jesus walks into the room. The answer to someone’s hunger is not to ask why they are hungry. Nor is the answer to doubt a question about why they cannot believe. The answer is food. The answer is the real Jesus showing up and easing fears. Everyone’s faith needs sustenance. Those who listen to the preacher and gather at the table today are looking for the God of truth and love to settle their doubts.

Even though Jesus’ disciples had been speaking about his appearance to two of them on the road to Emmaus just verses earlier, Jesus does not become agitated at the fact that the disciples are afraid of him. Jesus expects the fears and the doubts about his presence in the room. He knows that one post-resurrection appearance to them will never be enough. There will need to be more appearances to sustain the faith of generations of disciples!

The appearances become a pattern, with Jesus entering into the lives of his disciples, eating with them and teaching them. Finally, Jesus sends the disciples out as witnesses. Today the witnesses come back into the pattern of Jesus’ appearance to remember what was witnessed—so that their own testimony of a Savior who sets their fears at ease will also ease the doubts and fears of other hearers.