14 April 2013 - total re-coal

14 April 2013 - total recoal

So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,

rejoicing that they had been found worthy

to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

What is it that changes men so fearful that they couldn't stay near Jesus at the cross into men who rejoice to share in that cross?   It is not simply seeing Jesus risen once and then being perfect thereafter.  And interestingly, it isn't just seeing him once and then immediately being filled with the Holy Spirit at Penetecost.  There is a process whereby Jesus reveals himself as risen.  It is a process that paves the way for Pentecost and teaches us to be open to the Holy Spirit.

Most of us are in a similar situation the the apostles after the first appearances of the risen Jesus.  We know he lives but we are limited by our own past and the knowledge of how we've failed.  Fortunately he continues to appear to us amidst the familiar aspects of our lives and transforms our memories of failure into new triumphs.  He heals us exactly where we hurt.  This is why he meets the disciples in the context of a meal.  It is why he meets Peter at a charcoal fire so very like the one where he denied him.  It is why he asks Peter not once but three times if he loves him.  He heals the apostles exactly where they have been hurt so that they can say:

You changed my mourning into dancing;

O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

Jesus is risen and death has been defeated.  The past no longer has any power over those who are in Christ.  Jesus wants to free us to behold the truth of what has happened.

“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor, glory and might,

forever and ever.”

The four living creatures answered, “Amen,”

and the elders fell down and worshiped.

People who see this vision can't shut up about Jesus.  They are joyful even to share the suffering he endured because they behold the power of his victory even now.