Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Thursday prior to Easter 3

 

Luke 24:13-35 – The resurrection according to God’s plan – The resurrection fulfilled in Scripture

Jesus was driven to the cross. He asked, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (verse26).  If Jesus is the Messiah, a satisfaction of God’s wrath against sin, the sacrifice on the cross was necessary.

This indicates that the cross was a divine project; also, it means that only God could remove the offense of sin. God in Christ satisfies his own justice resulting in God’s acceptance of us as forgiven children.

On the road to Emmaus two men walk and talk with the risen Jesus and do not recognize Him. They see Him only as a visitor; another man (v.18) Was the resurrected Christ so different in body that they did not recognize Him? This could not be the case because the risen Lord showed the disciple the wound prints from the cross. Probably they did not recognize Jesu because they were not looking for Him as a living person and were not expecting to see Him. Their sight was limited by their sadness and unbelief. In the darkness of doubt, Jesus cannot be seen. Later recognition of Jesus came in the breaking and the blessing of bread. Was it Jesus’ tone of voice or what He said that opened their eyes? Even today, Christ is not risen to those who doubt and seek Him not.

Collect for Thursday of the week of Easter 2: God of mercy, may the Easter mystery we celebrate be effective through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2] 20 April 2023



[1] The Risen Christ, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Thursday of the week of Easter 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church. Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY


No comments: