On this third Sunday of Easter we continue to piece together the narratives of the witnesses to the risen Jesus Christ. A picture that only becomes clear when you put together the four Gospels. In Matthew; the angel says to the women, “Do not be afraid  He is not here, he has risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:5-6). In Mark, the women hear the same message, “He has risen! he is not here.” (Mark 16: 6-7). Then in John’s gospel we learn of Mary’s encounter with Jesus in the garden, and how she only believed that he had risen, when Jesus called her by name, ‘Mary’ (John 20:16). Later in the same chapter it recalls how the disciples fished all night on the Sea of Galilee but caught nothing, and then how they only recognised the man on the seashore as Jesus when he said, “Throw your nets on the other side” (John 21:6).

Our reading today is from Luke, chapter 24; where just before the verses for today, we read how Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus and how their hearts burned as he spoke, but that they only recognised him, when “ he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them”, (Luke 24:30-32). Verses 36 to 48 describe how Jesus stood among the disciples whilst they were talking and said, “Peace be with you”, and how he showed them his wounds (Luke 24: 37-39 and written also in John 20 19-29).

In each of these witness’ accounts there emerges common themes; how in spite of the fact that Jesus had told them what would happen, they had unbelief and initially failed to recognise the risen Jesus Christ.

Imagine being in the room with the disciples, and sense their astonishment, that whilst they were talking Jesus was suddenly standing amongst them. Then step back for a moment and reflect on the order of Jesus’s words; ‘Peace be with you’, then ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubt’s rise in your mind’ (Luke 24:36-38). The startled disciples first needed to receive Jesus’s gift of peace; a peace that only God can give. A peace that Jesus had promised to his disciples on the way to Jerusalem and that is available for us.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. John 14:27.

The risen Jesus Christ had fulfilled the promises he made, bringing peace and hope; which in turn answered their unbelief. It is our human nature to have doubts and questions about God. Our reading from Luke reveals how Jesus graciously responded to their unbelief, with the invitation, “Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see.” (Luke 24:39). He encourages them, to recall all that he has said, whilst he was among them and that “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44).

Today we are invited to meet the risen Jesus Christ, who stood among the disciples in the room; who welcomes all and graciously hears our unbelief.  The open invitation is to:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8).

Our question to reflect on today, is whether our hearts are open to meet the risen Jesus Christ, in the mystery of faith and to lay down our unbelief. It is in taking this step of faith that we encounter God’s gracious love, which is unconditional and transformative. A message of assurance and hope, life eternal, brought alive today through the eye witness accounts of the disciples who responded to Jesus’s invitation to look, to believe and then to proclaim the good news to all. What is our response today? 

Amen.