It's all over!

Luke 24:13-53    'It's all over'

Most people have put away their Easter house decorations now. It was an early Easter -- the earliest since the turn of the century --

As with other seasons and festivals, we're glad to see 'the next one'! We can't wait for the last of the snow to be gone and for the crocuses and tulips to finally bloom -- and in St. Catharines they are starting!

But, with the 'end' of Easter many also see a return to the hectic pace of work and family -- or -- the depressing hum drum of everyday responsibilities!

Those disciples from Emmaus, Cleopas and his friend, left Jerusalem so terribly dissapointed! All their hopes for Jesus were dashed! All their hopes for Israel; their people, were in ruins! -- Even when that 'stranger' joined them on their weary trek back to Emmaus, it didn't lift their spirits! He seemed 'good enough company'. He knew all about the prophetic writings and about the teachings about Messiah! -- I wonder whether they discussed Isaiah 60, or Psalm 22 which Jesus seemed to cry out from the cross, or Numbers 21:6-9 in relation to Israel's new sin and Messiah's purpose to save Israel? Jesus had mentioned it while he was still alive --  ??

Easter wasn't over then! It isn't over now!                                                                       Jesus was the 'stranger' they hadn't recognized. Jesus returned to them after their initial meeting and confirmed that he was indeed alive; the same Jesus and rabbi they thought had been forever killed! -- That was one of their struggles: not only to accept that Jesus was actually alive again -- but, that Jesus was in fact: 'their' Jesus! -- And so he invited them to touch him. He renewed their understanding about what scriptures say about him -- and what HE had told them about his death while he was still among them, in order to fulfil the scriptures! Now, " ...repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be preached in the Christ's name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to these things. ..."  he said.

The 'commissions' to share 'the good news of Jesus'; the message of forgiveness he offers, the hope of eternal life through him -- will lift our spirits even when we're having to do the laundry again and when that lousy car won't start or when we have to juggle 3 jobs at the same time & don't know where to start ...

Jesus' love can give us comfort then. Jesus didn't hate the mundane. Jesus loved those who worked their fingers to the bone -- even when no one else cared. But, Jesus also invites us to spend some quiet time to learn from him. Jesus forgives us our intense feelings, of which we are normally ashamed but, which well up within us when the 'heat is on'! We know we don't have to solve all the world's problems in our life-time. 'Tomorrow will have problems of its own', Jesus had said. The 'final' tomorrow wil be a blessed and peaceful experience with our Lord -- Jesus offers to take our fears and anxieties about this day & about death upon himself. He conquered sin and death itself!

Not only is every Sunday 'a small Easter'. Every day can be resurrection day when we live it with the Lord. Jesus seeks our company. Open your heart to him. Don't wait until 'you're down and out'.   Amen