Peace, Proof, and Power
In today’s Gospel, the risen Jesus comes to his disciples—not once, but twice. He meets them in fear and in doubt. He brings peace in their fear, proof for their doubt, and power to witness.
The Risen Shepherd
Today is the day everything changed. Not just because the tomb was empty. Not just because Jesus rose from the dead. But because the Risen Shepherd still comes, still speaks, and still knows His sheep—and He knows us by name.
I will raise him up
This promise of resurrection is absolutely central to the Christian faith. In the Nicene Creed, we even say that “the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come” are something we “look for”. It is the end goal of our faith, the primary objective, the thing that we are always directed toward.
The Gospel
Today is the day we set aside to celebrate the fullness of the Gospel—that Christ died, was buried, and was raised for the sins of the world. Today, we remember that we have received the Gospel, we stand in the Gospel, and we are being saved by the Gospel.
Why do you believe in Jesus?
Belief in Jesus is no longer a given. Why do we believe in Jesus? This is a foundational question that each of us should be able to answer. Our gospel reading provides some direction as we consider this simple, yet challenging question.
Fear, forgiveness, and faith
The disciples were first forgiven their own sin before they were equipped and sent out to forgive. May our risen Lord do the same with us.
Radically weird
Once Jesus revealed himself to Mary Magdalene that morning, the story didn’t suddenly make complete sense. It was still radically weird. But, in standing risen before her and speaking her name, Jesus caused Mary to believe.
Good grief
Martha has been grieving the death of her brother for the last four days by the time Jesus finally arrives. It’s not hard for us to identify with her grief, since we grieve in many ways as human beings.
True realisation (Lk. 24:1–12)
When the words of Jesus are spoken, and the bread is taken and broken, the resurrected Jesus is who we remember and see. It’s the entire work of Christ that we praise God for today.
Resurrection (1 Co. 15:12–20)
When something is too good to be true, it usually is. Was Jesus really raised from the dead?