Pastor Ray’s Corner
Alleluia! Jesus Christ is Risen!
He Is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
(Um, now what???)
With Easter this year coming at the very end of March, and Ascension Thursday not coming until May 9, what can we say about the intervening time? More importantly, what can we say about JESUS during this interlude? He has risen from the dead, but he has not yet ascended to the Father in heaven. What did he do in between? What did his disciples do?
The Gospels tell us a few stories of the risen Jesus appearing to his disciples – in the upper room, on the road to Emmaus, on a beach. We know that he continued teaching them during this time. And just think – it’s not theoretical anymore! The disciples have the living proof right in front of them that death has been conquered, and therefore they don’t need to fear death anymore.
I believe that this time together was what strengthened Jesus’ followers for the journey ahead. It would be a difficult journey, filled with enemies, threats, beatings, and (except for John), martyrdom. But now, having seen Jesus defeat death just as he said he would, they have a new and unshakable confidence. Even Thomas (well, the second time around) had come to have complete faith in Jesus.
Not only did the disciples now have confidence for the road ahead, but they also had hope that no-one could take from them. Sure, they would have to say goodbye one more time to Jesus when he ascended into heaven, but now they knew it wasn’t really “goodbye,” but only “see you again soon.” All the pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place. Jesus’ words and teachings now made sense. And best of all, they knew that Jesus’ promise to be with them in spirit until the end of the age was a real promise.
Confidence, hope . . . and peace. Again, just as Jesus had promised, his disciples now had a peace beyond what the world can understand. Whether their efforts to share the Good News went well or not, these followers of Jesus now had a deep inner peace that couldn’t be shaken. They had SEEN the risen Lord – everything now made sense, and the end of the story was in sight.
In this season of the Risen Jesus, as we share the Good News, may we too be blessed by him with confidence, hope, and peace.
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Ray
Alleluia! Jesus Christ is Risen!
He Is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
(Um, now what???)
With Easter this year coming at the very end of March, and Ascension Thursday not coming until May 9, what can we say about the intervening time? More importantly, what can we say about JESUS during this interlude? He has risen from the dead, but he has not yet ascended to the Father in heaven. What did he do in between? What did his disciples do?
The Gospels tell us a few stories of the risen Jesus appearing to his disciples – in the upper room, on the road to Emmaus, on a beach. We know that he continued teaching them during this time. And just think – it’s not theoretical anymore! The disciples have the living proof right in front of them that death has been conquered, and therefore they don’t need to fear death anymore.
I believe that this time together was what strengthened Jesus’ followers for the journey ahead. It would be a difficult journey, filled with enemies, threats, beatings, and (except for John), martyrdom. But now, having seen Jesus defeat death just as he said he would, they have a new and unshakable confidence. Even Thomas (well, the second time around) had come to have complete faith in Jesus.
Not only did the disciples now have confidence for the road ahead, but they also had hope that no-one could take from them. Sure, they would have to say goodbye one more time to Jesus when he ascended into heaven, but now they knew it wasn’t really “goodbye,” but only “see you again soon.” All the pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place. Jesus’ words and teachings now made sense. And best of all, they knew that Jesus’ promise to be with them in spirit until the end of the age was a real promise.
Confidence, hope . . . and peace. Again, just as Jesus had promised, his disciples now had a peace beyond what the world can understand. Whether their efforts to share the Good News went well or not, these followers of Jesus now had a deep inner peace that couldn’t be shaken. They had SEEN the risen Lord – everything now made sense, and the end of the story was in sight.
In this season of the Risen Jesus, as we share the Good News, may we too be blessed by him with confidence, hope, and peace.
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Ray
St. Paul's United Church of Christ
2300 East Main Street
Sacramento, PA 17968
570-682-9828
[email protected]
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