Resurrection! Luke

Easter Monday, April 9 -- Read Luke 24:1-53

Luke’s story of Easter Day is very full and loaded with interesting details. Many women go to the tomb. Two angels greet them and send them to the disciples. The women do go and tell the disciples, who roundly discount their story, except for Peter, who runs to the tomb and apparently has his own personal encounter with the risen Christ. Meanwhile two followers on the road to Emmaus meet a stranger who spends a good part of the day with them. Although he interprets many passages from Moses and the prophets that tell about the Messiah suffering and dying before he is raised from death, they don’t realize that it is Jesus until he breaks bread with them. As soon as they do recognize him, however, he vanishes from their sight. They race back to tell the disciples and, while they are telling the good news, Jesus mysteriously appears in their midst. Since he is disappearing and appearing at will, it is no wonder that they think he is a ghost. But he shows them his hands and feet – quite substantial – and then he even eats a piece of fish. The author of Luke also wrote the Book of the Acts of the Apostles – and never intended them to be separated by the Gospel of John! They are two chapters of a single story about the mighty acts of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is the story of the acts of God through one man, Jesus of Nazareth. And the Acts of the Apostles is the story of the acts of God through the members of Christ’s Body, the Church. So the very end of the Gospel of Luke leads naturally into the beginning of the Book of Acts. The risen Christ promises his followers that they will soon receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the meantime, they are to stay and wait for it in Jerusalem (not go on to Galilee as in Mark and Matthew). Jesus ascends into heaven and his followers remain in Jerusalem, going to the Temple each day and rejoicing in his resurrection.

Reflection Questions: In the story of the road to Emmaus Jesus accompanies his followers for a long time, unrecognized. As soon as they do recognize him, he vanishes from their sight. What do you make of that? How does it fit with your experience of the risen Christ?

Prayer: Dear God, you come to me in Jesus to walk with me on my journey. Give me eyes to see Jesus in the faces of strangers and loved ones. Help me tell the good news of your presence and love. Amen.