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 of the church, teach us to remember that we are but the dust into which your Spirit breathes the breath of life, earthen vessels you have selected to be the treasures of your grace. Lead us to be ambassadors of your kingdom. Show us how to love our neighbor selflessly. Form us into faithful servants. Mold us as obedient followers. Retrace our lost image and form us into the image of Jesus Christ. Love us and send us in your name. Amen.
Confession
Lord, I confess that I have not honored you as I should.
I have not been faithful to represent you in my life.
I have failed to glorify you and bear witness to your name.
I have been a hypocrite. I have claimed your name, but denied you before others.
I have been part of the church’s turmoil and tension.
Cause me and all Christians to walk together as people who know they are yet sinners. Help us to deal with one another not as the good or the bad but as the forgiven. Help us to love much because we are forgiven much by you.
Word
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures . . . (Luke 24:44-45)
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Jeff Cloeter.
“I don’t understand.” You’ve said that on many occasions. When you stared at the directions and attempted to assemble a piece of furniture. When you have five pop-up boxes on your computer telling you it won’t do what you want it to do.
There are also more serious times of confusion. “I don’t understand why there is so much suffering.” “I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do next.” “I don’t understand what God is doing.”
Luke chapter 24 is full of “I don’t understand.” The disciples are called “startled,” “frightened,” and “troubled” (Luke 24:36-38). They are shivering with fear in the aftermath of the brutal death of their friend and leader, yet there are reports that his buried body disappeared.
Even Jesus’ physically appearing to them is not quite enough to “get it.” He must “open their minds to understand the Scriptures” (v. 45). It’s like a puzzle for which you are missing the final pieces. The picture is incomplete unless those gaps are filled in.
Jesus referred to the three-fold division of the Old Testament canon. The law, the prophets, and the Psalms, or wisdom. Everything God said in the sacred Scriptures, the whole story to that point, only makes sense when Jesus is the Center.
What does this mean for you, when all you can say is “I don’t understand”? Two things. First, a practical piece of advice. Read the Bible Christocentrically. That means when you read or hear Scripture, Jesus is the key to understanding it. Whatever book, chapter, or verse you are in, even when his name is not explicitly mentioned, we have him in mind and ask, “How does Jesus fit here?”
Second, when you don’t understand, call on Jesus. Understanding only came to the disciples when Jesus gave it. Their minds were closed and confused until he opened them. Our sinful and limited minds have roadblocks that prevent us from truly seeing reality. There are times when you’re under a cloud you can’t escape from, a valley you can’t walk out of on your own. What else can we do when nothing makes sense? Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. A new age has begun, a new way of seeing life. Jesus is the Way out of confusion and into this new age. Call on him, “Risen Jesus, help me understand. Amen.”
Benediction
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)