“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.“
Luke 24:36-43

–

APRIL 21, 2025

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

I always feel disoriented when, after 40 days traveling with Jesus to Jerusalem during Lent, then seven days keeping vigil with Him during Holy Week, we celebrate Resurrection Sunday for one day and…just go back to work the next day. In fact, quite a few countries have Easter Monday as a public holiday. This is just too huge an event to fit into one day.

Can you imagine what the disciples were doing the day after the Resurrection? More than one Gospel describes them huddled together in a locked room—not once, but all week! And no wonder. If there’s anything more terrifying than watching the government publicly kill your teacher and master (knowing you’re likely on their radar now, too), it’s attempting to absorb the news that your murdered teacher and master is actually alive.

There He is, right in the room with you.

Both in this locked room, and on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appears, shares food, and tries to help His friends understand.

Today, two thousand years later, living an active public life of following Jesus through compassion and justice, confronting those in power on behalf of the vulnerable—well, these things are still terrifying and dangerous.

But Jesus is still alive, inviting us to look at Him, and see Him. Inviting us to reflect on what all this means…and how we will live in response.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • How would you respond if your master was killed the way Jesus was?
  • How would you respond if you saw Jesus, alive again, just a few days later?
  • If you are a Christ-follower, then your master was killed as Jesus was, and is alive today. What does this mean for you and your life?

 

Church Reading Plan:  Leviticus 25; Psalm 32