Easter Evening

Meditation for Easter Evening      4-12-20

Luke 24: 13 – 49

About this time of day on Easter Evening, 2 men who had followed Jesus began their journey back to their home village.  The conversation as they walked was all about the weekend events – the shock they felt as Jesus was crucified and the new rumors that Jesus was not dead.  That Jesus had walked out of the tomb and had been seen by several people – men and women who adamantly believed that they had talked with the now alive Jesus. 

Cleopas and his companion were comparing stories, trying to get a workable timeline in place and to sort out truth from fiction.  Nothing made sense!  Many had believed that this Jesus of Nazareth was the One for whom Israel had long waited.  Neither man could figure out how all of this made sense.

You know this story – how the two men are joined by a third who begins to explain the Hebrew prophecies to them.  How they arrived Emmaus and invited this scholarly stranger to lodge with them.  How they sat down to dinner and as the stranger blessed their bread and gave it to them, they recognized Him.  Jesus of Nazareth!  Alive!  There with them at table!

Alleluia!  Christ is Risen!

The Lord is Risen indeed!  Alleluia!

May you know this day that Christ Jesus is ALIVE and let loose into the world!  That Christ Jesus has redeemed you and covered all your sins with God’s grace!  That you are God’s beloved child and there is no power in heaven or on earth that can separate you from God’s grace!

Collect:  O God, you have created all things by the power of your Word, your Word made flesh in the Risen Christ, and you renew the earth with your Spirit:

Give now the water of life to those who thirst for you, that they may bring forth abundant fruit in your glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen. 

ALLELUIA!  ALLELUIA!  ALLELUIA!