Dear Family and Friends,

Let’s prepare our hearts for Easter by spending the next few weeks talking about the resurrected Jesus.

We begin with two Easter Sunday encounters.

Mary wept when she saw that Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb.

But then the scriptures say, “…she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.”  John 20:14 NIV

Later that same day, Jesus came alongside two of His followers on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus.

As they started conversing about the day’s events, the scriptures say, “they (the followers) were kept from recognizing him (Jesus).”  Luke 24:16 NIV

All three travelled with Jesus. They knew Him. One has to wonder, why could they now not recognize Him?

Many have speculated but no one really knows. All we have is what the Bible says.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).”  John 20:16 NIV

When Jesus asked His two followers who they were talking about, this was their response.

“‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.’”  Luke 24:19 NIV

Perhaps the three couldn’t see the resurrected Jesus because He no longer fit their expectations?

Mary was trying to find her Teacher.

The followers were sorrowful for their Prophet.

But something wonderful happened when they realized they just met the resurrected Jesus.

We all start our relationship with Jesus as our Savior.

But I suspect many have yet to accept Jesus as their one and only Lord.

With Easter just weeks away, maybe this is a good time to reflect on who Jesus is to us.

When Mary and the followers were deep in distress, they sought the Jesus they knew.

When we find ourselves in stressful situations, who do we call upon?

Jesus our Healer? Provider? Counselor?

But when Mary and the followers saw the resurrected Jesus, everything changed.

The phrase – Christ is Risen – is used so often, it’s become almost cliché.

Going to Easter Service has become a tradition – it’s what we do before Easter brunch and coloring eggs.

Let’s decide to cast aside our old ways and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection this year – because it really is a big deal.

“The New Testament writers speak as if Christ’s achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe.

He is the ‘first fruits,’ the ‘pioneer of life,’ He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought, and beaten the King of Death.

Everything is different because He has done so. This is the beginning of the New Creation: a new chapter in cosmic history has opened.”
C.S. Lewis, Miracles, Ch. 16

For those who have yet to experience the resurrected Jesus, my hope is that you will one day “wake up” and find yourself face to face with the risen Jesus.

He will call you by name just like He did Mary.

And when He does, you will experience what Mary and the two followers experienced.

Jesus is knocking at the door to your heart. I pray that you receive Jesus as your one and only Lord this Easter.

In love always,