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
“You have made us for Yourself. And our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” (Augustine)
Creator of all things, hear my voice, for you have made it. You who live in heaven, hear my prayer from earth. I am one person in one little town in one corner of your vast creation. Of all the people on the planet, hear me also. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Confession
O God, in the beginning you made us good, even “very good.” I admit the many things in my life that are far from your good intent. I try to change, and then find myself in the same place once again. Lord, you know me. Have mercy. Make me right. Forgive my wickedness. Bring me back to good, as you intended from the beginning. Amen.
Word
“And he said to them, ’Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?’” Luke 24:39
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Johanna Lange.
Ever since I gave birth to my son last June, I’ve struggled with intense bouts of anxiety. Genetic predisposition and postpartum hormones are at least partially to blame, along with the general daily traumas of life in the years 2020 and 2021. I’ve learned that when it comes to worrying about the health and well-being of your child, your mind can wander into some pretty dark places.
If you’ve ever had an anxiety attack, you know the feeling: Mind looping through worst-case scenarios, adrenaline surging like electricity, heart pounding, fingers tingling. It is as if your body is telling you to go sprint a marathon and curl up under a rock all at once.
I imagine the disciples had a similar physiological response when the resurrected Jesus appeared before them. The text says they were “startled and frightened” because they believed Jesus to be a spirit. Humans have an inherent fear of death, and there Jesus was, a ghost among the living—the stuff of our modern-day horror films.
In response to the disciples’ terror, Jesus asks two simple questions: “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Then he reveals himself as the risen Lord, shows them his physical body, asks if they have food to eat. Jesus is not a ghost veiled in death but flesh and blood. Alive. Conqueror of death.
When Jesus asks the disciples those two questions, I feel like he’s also speaking directly to me in the midst of my anxiety: “Johanna, why are you troubled? Why do you doubt? You fear death, but don’t you see that I have overcome death?”
Suffering and tragedy are inevitabilities in our broken world. We see that in the headlines every single day. Thanks be to God that, as Christians, we can rest in the assurance of Christ’s risen body, the forgiveness of our sins, and everlasting life free from fear and loss.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for giving us your Word through which to hear your voice. Quell our fears and anxieties during these uncertain times and help us to always remember that your resurrection gives us ultimate victory over death. Amen.
Benediction
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
(Rom. 11:33,36))