The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way,
and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.
The evidence of the resurrection was mounting and it seemed that more and more people were becoming convinced. Yet it was evident that there was still also much confusion and fear. Several accounts that Jesus had been seen alive did not prepare the disciples for him to suddenly appear in their midst.
While they were still speaking about this,
he stood in their midst and said to them,
"Peace be with you."
But they were startled and terrified
and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
The supernatural aspect of Jesus presence always seemed to provoke this sort of fear such as when he came to them on the water (see Matthew 14:26). His glory was so overwhelming that they were ready to believe "that they were seeing a ghost". Perhaps, they may have thought, he only appeared to be risen but was actually an apparition from beyond. And if that were true, given them terms on which he left this life, might he not be an angry ghost as well? But although he was not the same as he was before in this new and glorified body he was in fact still the same friend they had known. The peace that he had promised to give them he now came and spoke to them again. To help them receive that peace he demonstrated that what they were witnessing before their eyes was resurrection and not mere apparition. This was still a human body, one that still bore the wounds of crucifixion, one that could still eat and drink, but a body on the far side of death. A ghost would have meant that death still held sway over the world, and even if not fearful in itself, would not have been a sufficient cause for peace and for joy. But the risen Lord in their midst proved that death itself had been defeated. He was not a conjured spirit such as when the witch at Endor summoned the spirit of Samuel for King Saul. Yet he was clearly more than one restored to life like Lazarus. This was something entirely new. He himself had truly conquered death. But what did this mean for the world?
"These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the law of Moses
and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
Jesus helped the disciples to see how human history had culminated in his death on the cross so that the sins of the world could be forgiven. Sin was precisely the reason that death came into the world. And so only by his saving death that atoned for sin did Jesus unlock the resurrection first for himself, and then for those united with him. The resurrection of the body was something that many Jews believed would take place on the last day. But without Jesus such a resurrection could not have been the blessing it was meant to be. Fortunately, however, in him we have not merely an isolated individual incident, but a new and different kind of life we hope to one day share, in which we can participate by faith even now. He is the firstfruits of what we one day hope to be. Yet even now by our belief in him we can begin to live in newness of life.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is youra life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (see Colossians 3:2-4).
We need to return to Jesus our source to drink deeply from the streams of peace and joy he offers to us. We need to worship his divinity and cherish his sacred humanity so that our faith in him can make us strong, just as it did for the man on Solomon's Portico, and make us witnesses of Jesus and his resurrection. His risen life bestowed on us here and now by the Holy Spirit is the source of "times of refreshment", times of which our world seems especially to need in these days. Let us not deprive those around us of this joyous Easter proclamation.
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