Changed By Easter

It feels like it was just Easter as I am just about to finish up the last of the chocolate covered eggs, jelly beans, and push the Easter container further back on the top shelf in the garage.  

Like most of you, I feel the pressure to move on to the next event, holiday, or reason to celebrate… quickly move on from “How was your Easter?” to “Any new summer plans?”

There is always something around the corner to allow us to quickly forget what we have just experienced.

Was that the posture of the people who had just witnessed what Jesus had gone through? As the tomb closed on a man's perfect life, did they mourn, and even perhaps weep, at his passing, but in reality were quickly focused on moving forward? As the days passed and the news spread that the tomb was empty, was there continued disbelief in who Jesus was and perhaps  Easter just felt like a superficial event that created great conversation?

I wonder what it must have been like those days that Jesus wandered the streets following his resurrection, as the world was ready to move on.

Today we read from Luke 24:13-16:

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

- Luke 24:13-16

Having read this passage many times, what always strikes me is the busyness of these two people walking together, obviously consumed in their conversation but unaware of who had just joined them. Scripture does say that they were kept from knowing it was Jesus, but I fear that can be a metaphor for how we often live today. It appears that the last few days have clearly impacted these two, but their dialogue might lead one to believe that they are simply reporting on an event.

And the question remains: Were they changed because of it?

Let's read on in Luke 24:17,

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.

- Luke 24:17

Downcast? Wait, can this be possible?! That this man standing directly next to them who had spent the last few years teaching, healing, and showing an unfathomable love, who then proceeds to face unjust punishment, die on a cross, and do what no one has done before and rise from the dead – and the look on their face is downcast? What was underneath their exterior?

Yes, they were unaware it was Jesus at the time, and this chatty, preoccupied duo were aware of the events that had just transpired… but had this chain of events changed them?

To have been present during the actual time of when Jesus went to the cross, was buried, and rose again, one would assume that understanding about what had just taken place would create certainty. But this lack of commitment seemed to be what Jesus faced throughout his ministry –  though moments of excitement and even jubilation were felt when miraculous events occurred,  people still sat in hesitation to truly believe, and more importantly, seemed unwilling to live differently beyond that.

I don't want to move on from Easter like that and not be changed.

Yes, it has been a few weeks, but just because the worldly part of Easter is completed, the truth and life of the resurrection needs to be forefront in how we live. This perfect life that Jesus lived cannot be something that creates a superficial conversation that changes depending on the season, current event or group of people that you are spending time with. I am going to go out on a limb here… and don't mean to offend anyone… but our over-committed lives can prohibit us from recognising Jesus when he is literally right next to usl

I know that hurts, but the point of a personal relationship is to nurture it, experience it, and, above all else, put it first! A few weeks ago when you put on your Easter best, grabbed a coffee and worshiped this mighty King, the goal wasn't just to tell people you had a good Easter, but that Jesus died and lived again for you… and because of that, you are changed.

I hope that – if someone would encounter me post Easter – they would see an excitement and an eagerness to love Jesus more, and a desire to continue to share the Good News because my eyes are wide open and I know wholeheartedly that Jesus is right next to me.

Friends, may your eyes be wide open to a risen Christ who desires to be right by your side everyday!

Pastor Heidi

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