Sunday, April 19
John 20:11-18

At the Tomb

It is easy to focus on the joy of hearing the news of the resurrection. It is after all what we celebrate on Easter morning. The trumpet fanfares, the sweet fragrance of the Easter garden and the choruses of "Alleluia" all come together to create a joyous scene. We miss an important piece of the story if we look at the moment of seeing the resurrected Jesus. We need to look at that which was not written in order to see what Jesus' beloved friends confronted at the same time that they celebrated his resurrection.

Perhaps we can start at the grave sides we face in our lives. At the grave of a loved one we hear the glorious word of the resurrection to eternal life. We hear that our loved one is safe in the arms of God. We hear that we will one day be reunited at the feast that has no end. All too quickly, however, it is time for us to walk away from the grave. It is time to walk away and return home. We must now learn to live without being able to physically sit and sup with our beloved. We must somehow come to live without being able to pick up the phone and actually hear their voice ring in our ears.

Ah, this is the piece we often miss when we think of Mary, Peter, James and John and all the others who first heard the news of the resurrection. Oh, how happy they were to see Jesus once again. How joyous they were to know that the grave could not hold him. There came the time, however, when Jesus ascended and was no longer present in the same fashion as before his death. At some point they had to learn what it meant to live in this new reality.

Those who have gone on before us have been to the tomb. They have heard the news of the resurrection to eternal life. Together they went on to live their life knowing the reality of the tomb but also the joy of the resurrection. Perhaps by knowing that Christ was truly present for them in those days can be a sign that he is truly present for us as we wait for death's shadow to pass.

Monday, April 20
Mark 16:14
Luke 24:30-31

At the Table – Breaking the Bread

One of the most obvious places for us to see Jesus is at the table as we receive Holy Communion. It is there, after all, that we hear, "This is the body of Christ given for you," and "This is the blood of Christ shed for you." We do not worship one who has died and is lost to us. We worship the one who has died and broken the bonds of death. We worship one who is truly present with us.

One of the amazing mysteries of the words is that they are words for you at that very moment in your life. Think about it. The same card can be purchased and mailed to thousands of people. Each will carry a personal message from the sender. The same sermon reaches many ears and the Holy Spirit gives it meaning for each person who hears it.

In the same way the body and blood of Christ carries a word for you. It carries God's Word for you that day and in that moment. The body and blood of Christ can carry a word of comfort, hope, strength, courage, grace, forgiveness. It is the resurrected Lord truly present for you and speaking to you. The risen Lord went to the disciples at the table. The risen Lord comes to you at the very same table.

Tuesday, April 21
John 12:1-8

As We Work

After hearing the news of Jesus’ resurrection Peter and the other disciples went fishing. (One could argue that they went back to their old way of life or walked away from their calling, but that's a reflection for another day.) While they were working Jesus came. He came while they were fishing. What reassurance this gives us. Jesus came right in the midst of their every day lives. While they were going about their business, Jesus came.

We have seen that Christ comes in the moments of intense grief, in the midst of fear and at times of worship. Jesus also comes when we are going about our day to day tasks. We can be open to seeing Jesus in the midst of our day to day labors and chores. We, too, can be ready to answer when he beckons us.

Wednesday, April 22
Mark 16:12-13

On the Road

These two verses give us few details. We know (1) The men had been in Jerusalem into the country side and (2) They must have known or seen Jesus during his ministry if they had the capability to recognize him. We don't know who they were. We don't know where they were going. We don't know what they were talking about along the way. We don't even know if they had heard the news of Jesus' resurrection. What we do know is that he appeared to them as they walked along the road.

Many folks say that they pray while they walk or while they are driving. Prayer can certainly help us to be more open to the Lord's presence in our daily lives. We need not be at prayer to see Christ in our midst. This is good news for us. We spend many hours working and getting from place to place. It is good to know that Christ makes himself known in the midst of the very ordinary, sometimes boring, routine occurrences of life.

Thursday, April 23
Mark 16:12, Luke 24:16ff, John 20:14ff

Even When We Don't Recognize Him

This is an important word for us to hear. We often find it hard to trust in that which cannot be seen with our own eyes. We'd rather hear it right “from the horse's mouth.” (Where'd that saying come from?)

It is good to know that Christ is present (Immanuel) even when we can't see it or when words aren't convincing. It is good to know that even when we don't understand what we are seeing or hearing that Christ is present. On those days when Christ seems far away we can be reminded of those who didn't recognize Jesus even when he stood right in front of them. On these days it is good to be reminded of what Jesus did. Jesus spoke ... he broke bread ... he called them by name. He spoke and acted in ways that they would recognize him and know that he was with them. So it is for us as well. Christ is with you. Christ is speaking to you. Christ is working in your life. You may not know it right this moment but it doesn't make it any less true.

Friday, April 24
John 20:11,19; Luke 24:4

In Moments of Confusion, Tears and Fear

We all get overwhelmed with life and all that comes our way. We have challenges and struggles at work and in our homes. We have tension or dissension in relationships with those closest to us or with those that we share a common task. In the midst of it all it is easy to lose sight of Christ in our midst. In the stress filled moments it is easier to hear the anger and frustration than to hear Jesus' quiet voice offering a different way to live in that moment. When things get crazy and chaotic it is easy to get so caught up trying to "figure it all out" that we don't see Jesus trying to guide us through the messiness that surrounds us. In the midst of their confusion and fear Jesus appeared to his friends. He spoke and comforted them and strengthened them. So it is for us as well.

Saturday, April 25
Acts 1:1-3

In Places and Ways Too Numerous to Count

In these verses Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to the apostles but he does not tell us how or when Jesus appeared. From these verses we can be assured that Christ is made known to us in the midst of our lives. He continues to work in our lives and he continues to work through our lives so that all will come to know him as Risen Lord and Savior.

These days of "After Easter" can serve to remind us that all of our life is actually taking place after Easter. We live in "post-resurrection" times. We may not always be able to experience that Easter joy. We may not always hear or see the resurrected Lord. We may be deep in death's shadows. We may get caught up in the daily grind of life. None of this changes that good news that Christ is risen, Alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead! Alleluia! Alleluia!