This week we’re looking at the scene one week after Easter made famous by “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas’s doubts change to deep belief when Easter stops being about ideas and centers on a person – the risen Jesus. We’re looking at the important role doubt plays in the life of faith as God shows amazing Grace for Doubters.
This week we’re looking at the final Easter story in Luke 24. Jesus appears on Easter night to his closest friends and gives all his followers – including us – the identity and mission of being Easter Witnesses. This happens whenever the reality of Jesus’ resurrection is received with faith. May we take on the mission in our words and our actions!
This week we’re continuing the Easter story in Luke 24 on the road to Emmaus. The newly risen Jesus joins two of his followers as they walk, but they are kept from recognizing him. Jesus responds to their dashed hopes by opening the Old Testament to them to teach them about himself as they walk, which sets their hearts on fire. Yet it is only at the evening meal when Jesus breaks bread are their eyes opened to recognize him. May we have a living encounter with the risen Savior as we encounter him in both Word and sacrament!
On that first Easter Sunday morning, Jesus’ friends went to his tomb expecting to anoint his dead body. Instead, a pair of angels asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” That’s the meaning of Easter: Jesus is alive! He was that first Easter morning, and he is today. As we celebrate resurrection, we should ask ourselves if we are looking for a living Jesus today, or have we set our sights too low? Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!
The crowds shouted Jesus’ praise and hailed the coming of the King that first Palm Sunday, but by Friday the crowds were shouting for Jesus’ execution. Knowing what we know about Jesus, that raises many questions in our minds. John writes in his Gospel that even the disciples didn’t understand it while it was happening, but “Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.” This week we’ll use Palm Sunday and John’s words as a mirror for ourselves. Do we understand? Will we respond accordingly? The King is Coming!