Have you ever stopped to contemplate why Jesus hung around for so long after the resurrection, and appeared in so many different times and places? The gospels record a number of appearances over a six week period before Jesus was taken in full view from their midst. If the work of God in Christ finished at the cross and empty tomb, what was to be gained by hanging around for a few weeks?
Let me suggest a few possibilities:
1.
The
disciples needed time for it to sink in.
The
events of Easter were not ones easily pushed to one side. The disciples
rode a roller-coaster of emotions and expectations. They wallowed in devastation
for three days at the time of Jesus’ death, leaving them face-to-face
with the devastating realisation that it was all over and all for nought.
The news of the resurrection was neither expected nor factored into their
plans. With each appearance of Jesus the reality of it sank in deeper and
deeper, convincing a bunch of skeptical disciples more and more.
2.
The
full work of God in Christ was not finished, and Jesus needed to remind
the disciples that they were part of this ongoing work.
Jesus
had told the disciples that they would do greater things than he had done.
Although theological reflection speaks of the finished work of Christ on
the cross, it was clear that the task was only just beginning, and Jesus
would require his followers to continue this mission: a mission focused
not on saving souls for heaven, but a ministry connected with earthly realities
and continuing to usher in God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus remained in the
world in order to focus the disciples on their earthly responsibilities
toward the kingdom of God.
3.
The
resurrection was such a strange notion to them that they needed time to
begin to comprehend its meaning.
In addition
to accepting the historical reality of Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples
needed time to understand the overall implications of it. If Jesus was
raised from the dead, this changes everything: a reality-transforming experience.
The eighth day of Holy Week (Easter Day) introduced the disciples to a
view of life, death and ministry which was only a seed in their minds.
This time on earth following resurrection with the disciples was part of
that transformation in thinking and action, a transformation with which
we continue to wrestle.
To declare “Christ is risen” is to open our minds and lives to a radical new way of seeing life, death and our ministry. Something we need to reflect upon often.
Gary
April
3, 2005
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