Friday April 21, 2023

Today is Friday, April 21 and we are studying the Post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus.

I pause to center myself for this time of prayer. Slowly I breathe in and out, clearing my mind and welcoming the presence of Jesus Christ in my midst.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and shedding your blood for the salvation of my soul. Open the scriptures to me and reveal the amazing wonder of your suffering, death and resurrection. Amen.

I praise God for his great love and worship him with the words of Psalm 116.

Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 116:7-9

Pause and Pray

During the forty-day period between his Resurrection and his Ascension into heaven, the Bible records twelve appearances of Jesus. He appears to the women, the twelve disciples, the two people on the road to Emmaus, and to Thomas, Peter, and James. Additionally, it is recorded in the first letter to the Corinthians that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred believers at one time. What is the significance of these appearances for me today? What can I learn from them? How will I respond to the risen Christ? The traditional closing verses of the gospel of Mark provides a summary of these Post-Resurrection appearances.

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. Mark 16:9-14

The disciples did not believe Mary Magdalene. She told them she saw Jesus outside the tomb and initially mistook him for the gardener. The disciples did not believe the two men who had just made a seven mile return trip from Emmaus back to Jerusalem. They told them they journeyed with Jesus on the road and recognized him when he came to their home and broke bread with them. Amid this unbelief, Jesus appears to the eleven disciples and joins them for the evening meal. They were unwilling to believe the eyewitnesses of the Resurrection who had seen and spoken with Jesus. Jesus scolds the men for their stubborn refusal and lack of faith. Generations later, I read these eyewitness accounts documented in scripture. I must decide for myself if I believe their reports.

Ask: Do I believe Jesus suffered and died for my sins? Do I believe he was resurrected on the third day?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for these early witnesses to the miraculous events of your resurrection. I am grateful for the record of these forty days and seek to learn from them. Forgive me for seasons of disbelief and lack of faith. I pray you will help me replace doubt with belief, uncertainty with faith, stubbornness with surrender, and refusal with acceptance. Open the doors of my heart, mind and soul to receive the truth of the gospel. I read the words from Mark again and listen for the message you have for me.

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. Mark 16:9-14

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider what the Holy Spirit may want to reveal to me in this passage of scripture. Perhaps I connect with the emotions of the eleven disciples, mourning and weeping, filled with fear, not able to muster belief in a risen Savior with power to heal. Maybe I connect with Mary Magdalene, ever grateful for a life transformed by the touch of Christ, confident in his power to save others. Perhaps I connect with the two men from Emmaus who made great efforts to tell their friends about Jesus and are met with stubborn refusal to believe.

Pause and Pray

Come Lord Jesus. Enter in through the locked doors of my heart and shine your light into every nook and cranny of my soul. Awaken me to the truth of your love and remove any barrier that prevents me from living fully in the joy of your presence. Amen.

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:19-20

I leave this time of prayer renewed in strength of spirit; I go to love and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen