The Messenger - April 8, 2010 - Seeing Jesus

Pastor's Corner

"Have you seen Jesus?"

Hello, Church!

Last Sunday was such a fabulous day! I love the energy of Easter, the reunion of old friends, the triumphant choral music, and, of course, the exciting Easter message of new life in Jesus Christ. I wish to extend a special welcome to those Easter guests who are receiving our church "Messenger" for the very first time, and I hope you will find this devotional/church bulletin to be blessing for many years to come.

Last Sunday, we addressed the first Easter skeptics--and the skeptic in each of us--who thought the women's story of Jesus' resurrection was pure and simple "nonsense." (Luke 24:11) It's important to remember that these early skeptics were not Pharisees or Sadducees or Romans--they were disciples of Jesus Christ who were terribly disappointed by his death. Your experience with Jesus will be quite different from theirs, but each of us will know some days of disappointment, and each of us will taste the tears of grief. These experiences are not easy, but the Easter Story teaches us that they can be very powerful: it is in those moments that God most often comes to us with comfort, and it is through those moments that we often find new life and hope and strength.

This Sunday's gospel reading describes the journey of 2 mourners who were traveling "on the Road to Emmaus." Scripture says that Christ appeared to them and actually walked with them, but these mourners were so utterly consumed by their emotions that they did not even "recognize" Jesus. They told this mysterious visitor all about Jesus' death and even the "tale" of his resurrection, but they simply could not "see" him for who he really was until they dined together and shared the "breaking of the bread."

I love that story because it is so true to life. Most of us need time to recognize the voice of Jesus--especially when it comes to us through a "stranger." And most of us need time to see the face of Jesus in the faces of those around us who gather here for worship, love and prayer. Some of us also find Jesus in the sacraments--especially the sacrament of the Lords' Supper. Thus, we'll "consecrate" the gospel of this Sunday morning with that sacrament. And we'll be serving communion by intinction, which enables each participant to experience "the breaking of the bread."

It is my hope that this sacrament will enable each of us to "see" the risen Lord beside us. And it is my prayer that this vision of the living Christ will spread from this congregation into your extended families and the community that we serve.

Have a blessed weekend!