Easter

Suggested readings: John 20:11-18, Luke 24:13-35, John 21:1-14 TEV

Easter

Resurrection – Not Resuscitation

“As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge

But the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” John 21:4

We started Lent on Ash Wednesday with Stephen Covey’s suggestion to “begin with the end in mind”.  Doing so allowed us to remember that we are a people of the resurrection.  We are people who have been given the promise through the resurrection of Jesus that life always triumphs over death, whatever form of death we encounter in our lives.  Today, we celebrate that triumphant act of God as we join in the liturgy and declare “He is Risen, Alleluia.”

There is an interesting and often overlooked aspect of the Resurrection narratives, however, that I believe offers us an important insight into the nature of Resurrection.  Of the few stories which tell of the encounter of people with the risen Christ, in several instance, they don’t recognize him.  This fact has always struck me as odd.  These are people who have just spent every day of their lives with him for the past three years, and yet, they don’t recognize him initially.  I cannot imagine being with someone day in and day out and not knowing them if they were to appear before me after they have died.

Maybe these encounters contain an important truth God is revealing through the Resurrection experiences of the Disciples.  Could it be that Resurrection is not resuscitation but something far greater?  The new life which Christ embodies is not simply identical to his old life; but one in which he is transformed into something new, as well.  Certainly the stories that speak of his appearing and disappearing in the presence of people, and his ascension, give testimony that this is not just a physical resuscitation but a new form of his life that is a gift from God.

When we look for the new life of resurrection in our own lives, we need to be open to the fact that it is not going to look identical to what we left behind.  Death does bring an ending to the old life we had while Resurrection brings a new life into being, and the new life holds potential for things that the old life did not possess.  We are indeed “born again”.  While it was still the same Jesus of Nazareth who experienced the power of Resurrection, he, too, was changed in ways that led to the transition of leadership from himself to Peter and John.  He moved to a new life far beyond what he had experienced to that point, transcending the limitations of this world. 

Too often, after experiencing death, we try and cling to the old way, to rebuild a duplicate of what we have lost rather than let go and allow the new to emerge.  So, as we look for the resurrection in our own lives, let us be aware that it will not be the same.  Indeed it can become far more than we have experienced up to this time.  As Paul notes, “. . .the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17b; and we must embrace our new life, and build it within the spirit of that Divine love which makes it possible.

Prayer: Lord, as we experience the power of your love to resurrect each of us from the many moments of death we encounter, help us to willingly accept and create with you the new life you offer.

Reflection Question: Where have I experienced a true resurrection in my life?