Luke 24:36–49
How do you imagine Jesus’ attitude and posture are toward you right now? Is he annoyed, bothered that here you are again, not having it all together, asking questions? Is he absent, not even present to address your despair or desire? Maybe you perceive Jesus as apathetic about you. You’re really not high (if at all) on his list of most interesting people or situations to engage. I wonder if you think Jesus is angry with you right now. You know he knows what you’ve done. You both are intimately aware of your sinful heart, and Jesus is furious with you. He’s not having any of it.
So here you are on Easter Monday, and while maybe there is a modicum of joy from yesterday’s celebrations, you are still apprehensive about Jesus’ intentions and interest in you. You can celebrate that, yes, “He is risen!” but that nagging doubt in the back of your heart still creeps forward, making you wonder if that really is a good thing, if it really matters, if Jesus is positively for you.
These kinds of doubts and anxious thoughts are not new to us. Nor are they new to the experience of Easter. Jesus’ own disciples carried troubled hearts, doubt-filled minds, astonished and overwhelmed emotions, and big questions. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead called out the deepest concern: Now what! Everything was on the table. From Judas’s denial, Peter’s betrayal, the other nine’s withdrawal, and only John being faithful, what would Jesus’ posture to them be now?
The words and actions of Jesus in Luke 24:36–49 must inform and override our perhaps skewed perspectives. Instead of absence, Jesus is present. He shows up and draws near to his friends. Instead of anger and volatility toward this mutinous crew, Jesus pronounces peace and reconciliation. He’s not frothing at the bit to bring down the hammer of justice. Instead of being apathetic about their worries and anxieties, Jesus is curious. He asks why they are troubled, and then avails himself to their inquiries by giving tangible evidence of his physical resurrection.
When the moment arises where Jesus could be utterly annoyed by their deficiency of faith, he again inclines himself to answer their lack of understanding. In every turn of thisstory that could prove to be the final repellent of Jesus away from his followers, he instead draws close.
If we are not careful, we can too quickly read through this narrative as if it is a rational or logical apologetic text proving the historicity of the Resurrection. We can miss that this is a relational drama demonstrating the heart of Jesus toward anxious and doubtful people like you and me. We’re given this vignette into Jesus’ relationship with his disciples so that we can be encouraged about his relationship to us today.
Easter Monday might not bring any of the joy or bliss that Easter Sunday did. We’re glad that Lent is over, thankful Jesus is proclaimed alive, but we have our lives to get on with. And there we wonder, How is Jesus going to think of us today?
The events of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday incline us to embrace Jesus’ victory over the cosmic realms of Satan, sin, and death. They tell us of an ascending king enthroned, establishing, and emerging with his kingdom. They tell us of a sacrificial Savior who died for the sins of the world and was raised to life again “for us and for our salvation” (Nicene Creed). Easter Monday brings us the assurance that Jesus hasn’t overlooked or been indifferent to us. He brings his affection and love right to our very individual and personal needs.
Easter Monday is a place for us to stop and reflect, What is Jesus’ attitude and posture toward me? Today is a waypoint in our journey to be reacquainted with the Savior who personally knows, sees, and loves us. He bears no hostility, indifference, or ignorance of our doubts and needs. He only is inclined in love to our frailty and feebleness. Furthermore, he loves to be the Good Shepherd who knows and cares for his sheep. You can draw really close to him today because he’s already moved close to you!
Jeremy Writebol serves as lead campus pastor at Woodside Bible Church in Plymouth, Michigan, and is executive director of Gospel-Centered Discipleship. He has authored several books including Pastor, Jesus Is Enough. He is married to Stephanie and has two children.
