An Easter reflection by guest contributor, Valerie Morse
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
Waiting for a loved one’s flight to arrive at an airport is an interesting thing. You watch the skies to see if you can spot the airplane. As that small dot grows in its approach, you follow its path as it touches down and you listen intently as you hear the sound of it slowing. Looking out the window of the airport, you observe the door opening, as the steps are pushed up toward it..and then the passengers begin to exit. One after another steps out and descends the stairs, but there is a longing to see that familiar face that you love. No other passenger has your attention like the one you wait for, and when they finally step through that door, you sigh with relief, your face brightens and your heart quickens as you catch a glimpse of the one you have been waiting for.
Our hearts long to see the ones we love. There may be a crowd of people, but only a glimpse of the one who has our heart will cause elation. After their Lord had been crucified and placed in a tomb, the thought of never again seeing the One they loved, must have caused an unimaginable emptiness. They had left everything to follow Him. He had their hearts, and now He was gone.
There are several passages expressing the joy of his followers upon seeing him after He had risen. When the women were hurrying away from the tomb to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead, they encountered the risen Christ. We are told that they ‘clasped his feet and worshipped him.’ (Matthew 28:9)
That same day, as two disciples were walking along the road to Emmaus, a stranger began to walk alongside them and captivated their interest by explaining in depth, the scriptures about Himself. Afterwards, the two men asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?’ (Luke 24:32)
That evening, He appeared in a locked room where the disciples were hiding in fear of the authorities. We are told that ‘the disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.’ (John 20:20)
‘Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.’ A simple phrase recited at the end of some services, but with unimaginable depth.
After His ascension into heaven, angels made an astounding announcement. ‘This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.’ (Acts 1:11)
My mind went back to seeing a loved one exit the plane and come down the steps of that plane, and how my heart was overjoyed at catching a glimpse of them. What will it be like when we catch a glimpse of our Lord on his return to earth, as he comes down? Will our hearts rejoice? We are told that ‘every knee shall bow…’ and every tongue confess that he is Lord. (Phil. 2:10)
And so, as we await that day, we celebrate his resurrection from the dead, rejoicing at the fact that, as his disciples rejoiced, so shall we, as we await the day when we too, with our own eyes, shall see his face.
Happy Easter, everyone!
