The emotional roller coaster of Easter…
I often wonder how I would have reacted to the resurrection of Jesus.
There are so many emotions.
The exhaustion and uncertainty of grief.
The fear of what could happen to me.
Would I have left the room like Thomas?
Would I have been brave and felt so loved by Jesus that I would want to go to him at the tomb, even at risk of my own life, like Mary?
Would I have heard the news of his resurrection, yet still just needed to go back to what was familiar like Peter going fishing?
Or would I need to walk out my grief and despair like the two on the road to Emmaus?
Jesus meets each of his disciples where they are and as they need to be met.
He let Thomas see and touch his wounds.
He called Mary by her name.
He met with the two on the road in their grief.
Jesus allowed them to see Him, to really recognize him in the breaking of the bread.
He moves through the walls and the locked doors of their lives and our lives to bring us his peace!
The two on the road to Emmaus needed the bread to really see Jesus.
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! Luke 24: 28-31
How do I need to be reminded?
What do I need in order to have my eyes opened again?
What do I need to pay attention to in order to really see Jesus?
Am I listening with my heart and my ears?
Am I hearing his voice or am I just blinded by the grief of the world right now?
Jesus meets each of us where we are and as we need to be met.
Maybe it’s seeing his love in our woundedness.
Maybe we need to be touched or to touch him.
Maybe we need to hear our name called.
Maybe we need to know he is walking with us in our grief.
Maybe we need to remember that walls and doors don’t matter to Jesus.
He isn’t afraid of barriers.
Maybe we need to see him in our daily routines of making sandwiches, or toast
around the table as we break bread with ourselves and with our friends and family.
Jesus we need you.
In the broken places of our lives
In the broken places of our world today.
We need the reminder that you are life, love and resurrection!
We no longer have to be a slave to fear.
We are your children.
We have the power of the resurrection living in us!
Help us to recognize you again and again!
Help us to live in your love! AMEN
Make some tea and toast and sit with Jesus today.
As you break the bread take time to remember how Jesus has shown you his love in your life.
Imagine Jesus showing you his scars. Hear his voice call your name.
Allow his peace and love to surround you.
Recognize Jesus in the breaking of bread, the making of toast and sandwiches this week.
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com