After that day, everything was different. The first disciples witnessed a dead man walking. Their lives would be forever changed, defined by “life before Easter” and life “life after Easter.” On numerous occasions, Jesus showed up in resurrected form before he ascended. In the season of Easter we will examine six “after Easter” encounters with Jesus. What did he say and do? In what practical ways does resurrection change my daily life? Nothing will ever be the same.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
Lord Jesus, you once came to humanity in a rustic barn and a messy manger. Do not be distant from the rough places of our lives. We often find ourselves far from you. In mercy, come near to us, our Lord, Emmanuel; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Confession
Forgive my sins, O Lord – forgive me the sins of my present and the sins of my past, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body; the sins which I have done to please myself, and the sins which I have done to please others. Forgive me my wasted and idle sins, forgive me my serious and deliberate sins, forgive me those sins which I know and those sins which I know not, the sins which I have labored so to hide from others that I have hid them from my own memory. Forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all.
Word
“‘Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’” Luke 24:39
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Koleen Barnes.
The world is a confusing place and oftentimes so are the stories within it. The Bible on its own is no different. Upon initial observation, it is just a book. No different than any other on the shelf. Sometimes reading scripture doesn’t seem to “work” for me. The words don’t sink in like I want them to. During these times, I have to make myself pause and think about the true point. I have to make myself focus on its center, the one thing that sets it apart from all of the other books on the shelf: Jesus.
Jesus was not a ghost. He wasn’t an apparition appearing to his disciples, but he was flesh and bone like we are. This point is reiterated throughout scripture. He was physically there with them as the scripture had promised. Once we remember that Jesus is the key, the words of his scripture start to mean a bit more and sink in. Last week we talked about doubt. Doubt can sink into scripture reading just as easily as broad belief. The key to overcoming the doubt is Jesus. He was physically born a child, lived his life as a human man, rose from the dead as flesh and bone, and ascended into heaven.
By remembering Jesus’s short human journey is the center of God’s word, we are able to unlock the entirety of scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to show us where it applies to our lives. When I am having trouble absorbing and understanding scripture, it is helpful to recall the words we all speak on Easter morning: “Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!”
Prayer: Lord, help me remember that you lived just like me. Help me to absorb your word and keep you at the center of my faith. Dwell in my heart, Oh God, and teach me your ways every day. Amen.
Benediction
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)