Alive and Appearing

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb… 

“She turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?.. Mary.’ She turned and said..,’Rabboni!’.. 

“On the evening.., the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ He showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you… Receive the Holy Spirit.’

“Now Thomas… said, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark.., and my hand into his side, I will never believe.’

“Eight days later,.. Thomas was with the [disciples]. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!..’

“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:1,14-16,19-22,24-28,31

The last the disciples knew was that Jesus had been crucified and sealed in a tomb. Stunned, saddened, they wrestled to understand the shock of these harrowing days. In asking Mary whom she was seeking at the empty tomb, Jesus invited her to know her Friend as much more than He’d been: the risen Savior who would impart resurrection power. To the fearful disciples His shocking presence brought otherworldly peace that would abide with them by His Spirit, security for this life and the next. For doubting Thomas His scars brought the personal proof needed to nurture his nascent faith. Jesus was alive, and appeared as promise of His changed but ongoing presence and lasting fruit.

Jesus appears personally and lovingly to meet our greatest needs. His presence is real, potent, whether or not we recognize its form or manner. In despair, doubt, or dearth, Jesus intrudes with renewed life and stokes faith. He vitally meets the downcast and lifts us above and out of each.

What causes our heads and hearts to hang? In what situations do we doubt the Lord’s goodness, His care, His power? Where have we questioned whether He is even near and knowing? Would we ask the mighty God to make Himself clear, and that His presence in the living word will transform our outlook? What despair needs His calming assurance that He knows what is best and walks the vale with us? What fears need His serene invasion and promise of an everlasting Comforter? What doubts will we bring to His pierced hands and riven side for plunging beneath His love-blood unto solid belief? (Psalm 90:1-2; Isaiah 50:4; Lamentations 3:22-23; John 14:16; 21:4-22)

Jesus’s aliveness today is present help and life-giving. In Him we can live and move and have being in great fullness. Would we welcome His glorious presence to dispel darkness today? (Acts 17:28; Revelation 21:3-7)

Lord, help me gratefully walk and grow in the power of Your very present life, to Your praise..