Journey to the Cross

Pause

Hope. That is the central element of the Easter story. In the resurrection of Jesus we are given hope and the assurance that death cannot and will not win.

Make yourself ready then—again—to be overtaken by the magnificent good news that Jesus is alive, risen to glory.

Allow the truth of his life to take on new life within your heart.

Listen

And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.”

Luke 24:17–24

Think

Maybe we need to know that our faith is making a difference. Is this what Jesus was doing as he finally started to talk to the two disciples? Perhaps part of their conversation danced around the possibility that no one would ever truly understand this incredible “thing” they had just been a part of. This person, this Jesus that rocked their world so completely that they left their lives behind for—who knows what?

And maybe Jesus needed to know the same thing. Did Jesus need to know that his life—this incredibly difficult yet astounding life—impacted those it was meant to impact? Maybe Jesus’ question was meant to encourage the final act of transformation. “What are you talking about as you walk along?” he asked.

He already knew. He lived what they were talking about. But maybe they (and maybe we) needed that question to nudge them into the next phase of their following. Maybe, just maybe, we affirm God and God’s gift to us of Jesus when we tell the story again.

Gina Yeager-Buckley

Pray

Oh God, raise my face that reflects my sadness, my doubt and my fear; turn then my face towards you, towards the reminder of what you have given me. And then, O God, open my mouth to say what I know about you—that you are love! Amen.

Go

Resurrection changes things—
Each and every day.

Believing makes all the difference.
Even when you have your doubts,
Jesus remains close by.

Now go to tell others about
The life-changing love Christ offers.