Ancient Easter Greeting

    Today we begin our fifty-day celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. What does his resurrection mean for us?  And how do we live it out in our lives?  We might begin answering these questions by going back in time to be with the experience of the disciples of Jesus and how they were transformed by encountering the risen Jesus.

     In our imaginations, let us be present to the apostles and disciples on that first Easter morning. They know Jesus had died. Mary, the mother of Jesus, John, the beloved disciple, and the women with them had shared this dreadful news; they had been on the hill of Calvary.  Helpless they watched as life drained from their beloved son, friend, and master.  Witnessing his death, they heard his last words, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

     The scriptures tell us that the gathered disciples on hearing news of the empty tomb and that Jesus had risen from the dead refused to believe the testimony of Mary of Magdala and the other women.  They had to see for themselves!  Again, the scriptures tell us that those who met the risen Jesus did not immediately recognize him.  He was Jesus, he was alive, but he was different.  Encountering the risen Jesus was not the same experience for each of his disciples.  It took them time to absorb the fact that Jesus who was dead is now alive.

     Our faith, the faith of the church, tells us that Jesus Christ is alive and like the disciples two thousand years ago, we can still encounter him, if we but have the eyes of faith to meet him.  Perhaps we need to pray the prayer of the father of the sick boy, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”

     Like Mary of Magdala, we not only meet him—he sends us out to share the good news.  How, in my actions and words, do I tell others that our God loves us and wants us to share his life with us?

     His resurrection is the foundation of our belief in our own resurrection from the dead.  This will happen in the future, yes. But there are little dyings we undergo now before our death (serving others, being instruments of peace, compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation, etc.) where we are raised to new life.  The resurrection continues!