He isn’t there to hold their hands, or to lead them around galilee and judea. Jesus’ words spark something in the disciples. Jesus reminds them of who they are and what they have become. The hope that they had in this little community has been ripped away from them.Īnd then Jesus shows up again. The reason for staying has been taken away. The disciples must have felt the same way. And yet, Monday morning arrives, and that community that felt so empowering seems so far away. As we share in this community each week, as we are fed through the word and through the Body of Christ it probably seems like a simple matter to live boldly as a Christian. Withdrawing from life is simply a defense mechanism meant to keep us safe from harm. ![]() Packing ourselves away is simply self protection. Everything inside us tell us to avoid the pain, avoid the conflict, avoid the shame. A loved one becomes ill and dies, we push away the grief and try to pretend that everything is fine. An employment prospect doesn’t work out, we find another. A relationship doesn’t work out, move on to the next. When things do not go the way we expect, we are good at moving on. Packing it all up and heading home is natural for us. For the disciples, the story was over, there was nothing else to stay for. The excitement of following a popular preacher and healer had been replaced by disappointment, shock and grief. Their hopes for a messiah had been crushed. After that disaster there was nothing left for them. Jesus was arrested, put on trial, and then executed like a common criminal. Yet, in the last few days everything had come crashing apart. They had followed Jesus around for years, dutifully supporting him as he went about this ministry. Yet, up until now the disciples had been packing themselves up and getting ready to leave. ![]() Jesus offers to let them touch him to see that he is real and he eats some fish to show that he is alive. ![]() They have heard two of their members tell the story of how Jesus walked with them on the road to Emmaus, but now when Jesus himself shows up they are uncertain if he is a ghost. For them it is still the first day of the resurrection, Easter Sunday. Preparation for Jesus to leave them behind.Īs Jesus speaks to his followers today, they are not quite sure what they are seeing. And last week Paul preached to us about a God who knows us each, and wants to be involved in each our lives, and in the life of our community.Īll of this and everything from the angels who announced Christ’s birth, to his ministry and teaching, to his trial, crucifixion and resurrection… all of this has been preparation for the disciples. We have heard about the Good Shepherd who calls his sheep by name, and of the Father’s house with many rooms. We have witnessed the empty tomb, seen the wounds of Jesus with Thomas, walked to Emmaus with the two disciples. For 7 Sundays we been celebrating the resurrection, celebrating Easter. ![]() And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” … Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
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