Goodbye, Jesus
Luke 24:44-53
Now, they are on their own, or maybe not.
Photo by Sameer Meshram on Unsplash
Jesus said to his disciples, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. - Luke 24:44-53
I can't believe this day is here already.
I know, that sounds strange. Most of us, even the most devout Christians, don't make a big deal about the days that the Resurrected Jesus walked the earth.
So, why is it such a big deal for me?
I had heard about death as a child, long before I experienced anyone close to me dying. I was born on the one-year anniversary of my grandfather's death. My father's father died while my parents were on their honeymoon, which is probably why I wasn't conceived for another three months.
But seriously, I grew up with that story, so I knew that death was this final thing. You no longer exist, except in memories and pictures.
But Jesus changed that image when the tomb was empty.
For forty days, he popped into people's lives, mostly unannounced, sometimes unrecognized. How cool was that? I wonder if he is still doing that, when he has time, of course.
So, here is my thought, and you can knock it down if you like.
What do our spirits do when we die?
I think Jesus has us do what he did, come and visit the sick, lost, forgotten, or just lonely. Yes, that's our job as living beings. He wants us to be like him, but do we listen?
Of course, loved ones don't just pop into our daily lives the way Jesus did, but they may come unannounced and unrecognized. Maybe the show up with another of God's creatures, like a rabbit or a butterfly or a bird.
Two young does came to visit me yesterday while I was sitting and talking with a friend. I wonder who they were bringing with them.
I told you that you would think me crazy. They thought Mary Magdalene was crazy, too.
I just hope they don't come as ants or mosquitoes. I would hate to be guilty of killing a relative.
More to come...