Christ is risen! Yes! He is risen, indeed!

We need this message. The world needs this message because
it is often easier to face death than it is to face life.

Please don't misunderstand me! Death brings certain assurances. I know that I will be in the arms of Jesus and that my life will be fulfilled as a child of God as I enter into God's hands. I know that my struggles will be over and that I will confidently be able to say, "Into your hands, I commend my spirit." There will be healing and reconciliation and all things will be made new and there will be great joy and peace.

But what are the assurances we have in life? Often we see great pain and struggle. We are called to deny ourselves and pick up our cross and follow. People will "revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." There will be times of fear and uncertainty about the present and future. Yes, life is often harder to face than death.

That's why I believe that the resurrection of Jesus has more to do with life than death. Jesus came back to the first disciples after his resurrection because of what they had to face in the present and the future of this life. After his crucifixion the disciples were huddled in fear behind locked doors, and Jesus came to them and said, "Peace be with you." Then, knowing that if they were to continue as a people of faith they would need to be a forgiving community, he breathed his Spirit on them and said, "If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven."

In the Gospel of Luke we hear about Jesus on the evening of his resurrection revealing himself to two of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. He did that by opening up their minds to receive scripture and by breaking bread with them. Later, in the Gospel of John we hear of Jesus appearing to the disciples by the sea encouraging them to "feed my sheep" if you love me. Then, at his Ascension he commissioned them to be witnesses to all the nations and to make disciples by baptizing and teaching.

And he promised to be with them always.

Jesus' appearances to his disciples after his resurrection had everything to do with their mission in this life. He was assuring them of his presence and power as they lived out the calling they have as his disciples in the world.

Those same promises of his resurrection are there for us to claim as we live each day. He brings peace to our fearful hearts. He opens scripture for us and gives his Spirit through Baptism and his Body and Blood through the Eucharist. He gives us power to be a reconciling community for the sake of the world. And he promises to be with us as we make disciples, baptizing and teaching, witnessing and feeding in his name. May we live confidently each day embracing this Easter joy and hope that we have in our risen Lord and Savior.

Christ is risen! Yes! He is risen, indeed!

Bishop Jim Stuck