No one immediately recognized the earthly Jesus in the risen Christ. Indeed, the people who should have known him best consistently mistook him for a ghost, a gardener, a harbormaster and an itinerant rabbi. Whether from faithlessness or temporary myopia or some divinely-induced blindness, the disciples could not see the risen Christ in their midst. Their eyes needed time to adjust.
Happily, they were given that time. The risen Christ returned: to forgive the disciples their betrayals, great and small (John 20, 21); to show them that there is life beyond fishing and tax collecting; to repeat the call that orients their ministries – “follow me” (John 21:19, 22); and touchingly to cook them breakfast, because they will need food for the journey (John 21:12). Disciples today should celebrate the First Breakfast alongside the Last Supper!
Instead of ascending directly to his Father, the risen Christ stuck around and let people get used to seeing him in his new, resurrected state. The time between the resurrection and the ascension also gave their hearts time to adjust to the journeys that now lay before them.
This message is excerpted from “What did the risen Christ look like?” by M. E. Stortz in the April 2020 Gather magazine. Today is the Third Sunday of Easter. Today is the Women of the ELCA’s Rachel’s Day. Today we commemorate Monica, mother of Augustine, 387.
Copyright © 2025 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected]. If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.