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, charging them to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19); 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!
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 we commemorate Philip and James, Apostles.
If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.