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
O God, you are the beginning, the middle, and the end. You are all in all. Lead me. Help me. Forgive me. Keep me from wandering and weariness. Keep my love ready and willing to serve You by serving others. Praise and honor be to You, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen.
Confession
O God, how can I believe without your help. I am filled with doubt. “What about . . . ?” “Is it really true?” “How do I really know you’re there? That you’re listening? That you care about me?” I confess with honesty all my fear and disbelief. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. I believe; help my unbelief.
Word
“And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” Luke 24:31
Meditation
Today’s meditation is written by Grace Herzog.
Writing this meditation with the theme of “from hidden to revealed” was very challenging for me because oftentimes in my life, Jesus seems invisible.
In school, some classmates used to make fun of me for being Chinese-American. Subtle jabs about how small my eyes were or if I preferred to eat cats or dogs for lunch became comments I learned to ignore in front of others and only think about late at night. Occasionally adults chimed in too, making backhanded remarks about how makeup didn’t look good on me because I was Asian or that I should be fortunate that I was adopted into a white family.
For a while, I hated being me. I hated the way I looked and the eyes that stared back at me in the mirror. I asked God why he made me like this. Why, if he was supposedly present and perfect all the time, would he put me in situations like these. I saw the way other people experienced Jesus in their lives, and I wondered why I had not encountered him like that too.
I think that these are questions many people struggle with their entire lives, no matter their situation. Where is Jesus in the struggle?
Luke chapter 24 provides an answer to those crying out for an answer to suffering. After Jesus’ death, his followers were taken aback and scared. I can imagine the doubts creeping into their minds, asking them if Jesus was truly the Lord or if he would ever come back to save Israel and his people.
But Jesus revealed himself to the two men on the road to Emmaus. He tells them that Christ first had to suffer to enter into his glory. Jesus opens their eyes to see the bigger picture. That Jesus was with them this entire time.
Even if we never have one of those “aha” moments like these men, Jesus revealed himself to each and every one of us through our faith in him and baptism. Whenever I have doubts about who God is or why he is seemingly absent, I remind myself of the promise he made to me when I was baptised with the Holy Spirit. A promise that Jesus will always be with me as I go through life and all of the mess that comes with it. A promise that will one day be fully restored when Jesus returns or we meet him in Heaven.
Lord, when you seem invisible from my life and gone in the midst of my pain, remind me of the promise you made to me the day I put my trust in you. That you will never be far off or absent. You are right there with me in my sorrows. Amen.
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. (Rom. 15:13)