Have you ever had a non-family member you looked up to, respected, whose friendship stood out from all the rest? Is there a moment you can recall when that person spoke to you with words of strongest affirmation (not flattery because that wasn’t who they were), words that you can still remember after years have passed, words that still resonate deep inside? Words that spoke to you, and still speak, about who you are at your core, your best you? Words still alive in you when it comes to making decisions both big and small? These words, should you have received them even after failing or messing up or disappointing, are of even greater value!
Jesus’ disciples were filled with shame when he died. They had abandoned him just like he had predicted they would! Then, upon hearing of Jesus’ return from the grave, they were chagrined at the thought of facing him, fearful of seeing the (justified) accusation in his eyes. It was almost too much. I mean, after all they’d experienced with him, all he’d taught them, and they had run away from him, scattered like sheep spooked by nothing at all, leaving him desolate, to suffer alone.
And then, on the very day he rose, his compassion for his special, hurting friends, pushed him to seek them out, to make direct contact, to reassure them their relationship, well, his with them at least, was unbroken. He still desired their company, and he continued to show his commitment to them by showing up frequently, spending the day with them and tenderly going over familiar teachings.
On the in-between days when they were by themselves, wouldn’t it have been great to hear the discussions the disciples were having? They must have marveled over and over at the enormity, the seeming ease, of his forgiveness. They must surely have been wondering about the ‘next step,’ the next phase of Jesus’ ministry and their sketchy involvement in it. Maybe a few of the more analytical ones were trying to fit bits and pieces together, to make sense of what was happening. Maybe they were even beginning to make a connection between his teaching, how he had always lived, and his hopes for them. If one of them mentioned still being afraid of what Jesus was expecting of them, I’m positive someone in the group made the point that they could hardly give in to fear – again! If they’d learned anything at all, it was to be brave and courageous. After all, Jesus, their Lord and Savior, the Messiah, offered them words of strongest affirmation, words that would ring in their hearts forever! Come to think of it, his words ring in our hearts through Scripture, too, don’t they? PD
