Close Encounters

Where have you encountered Jesus this Easter season? It’s a good question to ponder as it asks us to take note of when we have encountered Jesus and in what ways. This Eastertide we get three different stories of encounters with Jesus. These give us the place to start looking at how or where we might encounter the risen Christ.

First, we have the story is on Easter Sunday of Mary. She is grieving the loss of Jesus after she goes to the tomb and finds it empty. She stays after all the other disciples have left and starts grieving. Through her blur of tears, she cannot see the risen Christ in front of her until he calls her name.

Have you been caught in depression, or in grieving the loss of someone this season? Have you taken the time to maybe listen to see if Jesus is calling your name? How is Jesus calling to you? 

Once we begin to explore some of these we might see, hear Jesus calling to us. It is only by putting ourselves into the story that we can see where we fit.

Second is the disciples in the upper room. Locked away in fear and fearful because of the encounter. So fearful Jesus has to calm their storm by saying Peace be with you. Not just once but twice in order for them to hear above the waves of their own fear.

Where do you sit in this story? Do you need peace in your life? How is Jesus saying “Peace be with you” to you? 

Or maybe in this case you are like Thomas. You doubt unless you can see, touch, and feel for yourself the risen Christ.

Do you have doubts which make you wonder if you can encounter the risen Christ? What keeps you from seeing Jesus? Where do you need to feel the wounds in order to be in touch with Christ? 

Lastly, we get this story of the encounter on the road to Emmaus. Jesus is on the road and comes near. Maybe he overhears what they are discussing and responds to them by engaging them in conversation with him. So much so their hearts are warmed on the way. The other piece of recognition comes in seeing Jesus when he breaks the bread and as soon as they do, his physical presence is gone, but they run back immediately to tell the rest of the disciples.

Some of the wonder of this story is that Jesus appears not to well-known disciples, but to Cleopas and an anonymous disciple. We know nothing of Cleopas either. There is no call story, or legend other than this Lukan tale on the road. Then journeys with them to an unknown town. Archaeologists have never identified this town or named it. It is anonymous as well.

How are you a disciple this season walking this road? Have you recognized Jesus only to have him disappear? Which person are you in the story? How does Emmaus invite us to encounter the risen Christ? 

Encounters with the risen Christ need to be a part of our framework. They are not only history for us to read about. They are the nuts and bolts of being a disciple. For we are disciples as well of the risen Lord. How might we better engage in learning this? Maybe it comes from intentionally listening to these stories and engaging in the question of where we are and where is Jesus in relation to us. Only in this way might we know we have seen the Lord.