Good News!

Today's Reading: Luke 24:36-48

Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Christ is risen and we continue to proclaim this good news throughout the Easter season and until Christ comes again. It is truly GOOD news. But I’m willing to bet that none of us today have witnessed a resurrection first hand. The disciples share with us that it’s actually quite terrifying. Two weeks ago we heard that the women who found Jesus’ empty tomb ran away terrified. Last week we heard the doubt of Thomas. Today we hear that the disciples were startled and terrified when the risen Christ appeared before them. What then is the GOOD news!? Where then is the JOY?

Often when we have new experiences we are afraid, we are doubtful, we question what is real/what is truth, and we fail to see just how drastically our lives have been transformed for the better in that instance. Such is the experience of the disciples this morning. When we say Jesus rose from the dead, we mean that JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD! No he didn’t become a ghost; no he was not a zombie; no he was not a skeleton – JESUS rose from the dead. He’s got the hands and feet/flesh and bones to prove it! ‘Touch me and see for yourselves,’ he tells them. Not only does Jesus have hands and feet, but he’s got a stomach and he hasn’t eaten for three whole days! While the disciples are ‘ooo’ing and ‘aweee’ing, Jesus is like, ‘Look.. I told you this was going to happen. Now, is there anything here to eat!?’

In that moment the disciples may not have realized the good news at hand, but just like most of our own experiences, life makes sense in reverse/as we look back on things that have happened. So, we have the benefit of skipping past the terror to see there is SO much good news here to be joyful about! 1) We are reminded that if we have been united in a death like his, we will certainly be united in a resurrection like his (Romans 6:5). Forget the zombie apocalypse people keep making movies about, we shall rise up as flesh and bones and gather with our loved ones at the Lord’s table that changes everything! 2) The Word never returns empty, but accomplishes what it set out to do; God keeps God’s promises. The scriptures have been fulfilled in Christ Jesus! The love and salvation of God has rained down upon the whole earth! 3) Yes, the WHOLE EARTH! The good news may have started in Jerusalem, but God intends for the Word to spread throughout allllll the nations! 4) And WE get to be a part of it!

YOU are witnesses of these things! How can such joy be contained?! How can we keep from telling the story time and time again of Jesus and his love? Go and witness to the world’s salvation in Christ! I know this can be terrifying to think of.. You may wonder – ‘what will I say?! Who will listen!?’ Jesus calmly proclaims, ‘Peace be with you’ (Luke 24:36). There are a lot of ways to witness. Perhaps it’s through words, perhaps it’s through song, perhaps it simply through what you do and how you treat your neighbor.

We witness to the WORLD’S salvation in Christ when we tell someone Jesus loves them or share our experiences of God in our own lives.. but we also witness to the world’s salvation when we live as if all people are beloved and saved children of God (because they are). Living this way means valuing every single human life; no exceptions, no no limits, no requirements. Living this way means feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, healing the sick, freeing the oppressed.. but it also means digging deeper – exploring why so many people are hungry, or without basic needs like clothes and shelter.. digging deeper into what is making people sick and why so many people are incarcerated or oppressed.. and then working toward eradicating it all. We can witness to the WORLD’S salvation in Christ all day every day with word and deed, but the world will not stand as a witness reflecting this salvation until ALL have the life of abundance God intended.

YOU are witnesses of these things, of the GOOD NEWS Christ brings of love and salvation for the WHOLE world! We know God keeps God’s promises and that what Christ said will be fulfilled. One day he will come again and his kingdom will come in its fullness and have no end! God remains alive and active here on earth, moving all things toward this promised glory. With a very REAL hand extended to you, Jesus invites you to join the journey; to take your place by his side in this salvific work. Jerusalem was just the beginning. Thanks be to God!