Easter: Day 4

As they talked, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be to you.”

They were terrified, and supposed they had seen a spirit.

He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts fill your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they still didn’t believe and rejoice, but wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

They gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. He took them, and ate in front of them before leaving. 

Thomas, one of the twelve, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. The other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail prints in his hands, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Eight days later his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came, stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Touch my hands with your finger. Put your hand into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Reflection

 

Thomas was a skeptic, unwilling to believe Jesus had been raised from the dead without clear and definite proof. Jesus gave him the proof he sought. Do you have trouble believing in the resurrection? What kind of evidence would it take to convince you? 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for reacting to my skepticism with reassurances and not with condemnation.

Easter: Day 3

Two disciples were going that first day of the week to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. They talked with each other about all of the things which had happened. While they talked and raised questions, Jesus himself came near and walked with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are so sad?”

One of them, Cleopas, answered, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know what happened here these days?”

He said to them, “What things?”

They said, “Things about Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned and crucified. We were hoping it was he who would redeem Israel.

It is now the third day since these things happened, and certain women of our company amazed us after going to the tomb early this morning. When they didn’t find his body, they came saying they had seen a vision of angels, who told them he was alive. Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but we didn’t see him.”

He said to them, “You are foolish, and slow of heart not to believe what the prophets spoke! Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Beginning from Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. They came near to the village where they were going, and he was prepared to continue his journey.

They urged him, “Stay with us, for the day is almost over.”

He went in to stay with them. When he sat down at the table, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and then he vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the road, and opened the Scriptures to us?” They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered with others, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” They told what had happened along the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Reflection

 

Again, Jesus wasn’t recognizable at first, but this time it was in the breaking of bread that the disciples saw him for who he was. Do you sense the presence of Jesus now in the breaking of bread or communion? Have you experienced a time when the scriptures have “burned within you” as you read them? 

Prayer: Keep your word burning within me, Lord, as I sense your presence and feel your power.

Easter: Day 2

Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been. They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” As she said this, she turned and saw Jesus standing there, but didn’t know it was him.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”

Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will go get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She went to him and said, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”

Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father, but go to the others, and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Mary went to the disciples and told them she had seen the Lord, and he had said these things to her. 

While this was happening, the guards went into the city, and told the chief priests what had happened. When they had met with the elders for advice, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, saying, “Tell everyone his disciples came by night and stole his body while you slept. If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will exonerate you.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues to this day.

Reflection

 

The resurrected Jesus wasn’t recognizable at first. Only when Jesus called her by name did Mary know who he was. What would it mean for Jesus to call you by name today? Can there be an intimate connection even if there is no audible voice? 

Prayer: Thank you for your still, small voice, Lord, speaking my name and telling me of your love.