Christ Church Riverdale

3 Easter                                                                                                May 4, 2003

                Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 98; 1 John 1:1-2:2; Luke 24:36b-48

At the end of John’s gospel, the writer states that the signs that Jesus did in the presence of his disciples are written that we, the readers, may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, believing, we may have life in his name.

In today’s story from Luke’s gospel, the disciples are still coming to believe.  They’re mystified by his appearances.  They still remember how they betrayed him, and they’re confused by seeing the one they betrayed.  They didn’t believe he would rise from death; they abandoned him at the cross; they were slow to recognize him.

In today’s appearance after the resurrection and before he ascends into heaven, Jesus again appears, and tells them to touch him.  He’s offering them the same opportunity offered to Thomas.  Luke writes, “While they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’  They gave him a piece of boiled fish, and he took it and ate it before them.”

Luke wants his readers to be clear that Jesus had truly risen.  He could take a piece of fish, and actually eat it in their presence.  But Luke also is clear that, like us, the disciples struggled with faith and doubt.

What is really exciting and engaging about what happens is the response of his friends.  Luke writes, “They disbelieved for joy.”  What might that mean?  Have you ever watched the silly, joyful responses of the people Ed McMahon approaches at their doors with winning checks from Publishers Clearinghouse?  They jump and scream.  It’s appalling!  Or the winners on TV in quiz shows, who have the same response.  They disbelieve and they believe.  They disbelieve for joy.

Grace is like that.  We say, “This couldn’t be happening to me.”  “I haven’t done anything to deserve this.”  “This is too good to be true.”  God’s grace is overwhelming them.

By appearing to the disciples, Jesus forgives them.  This forgiveness is more than a temporary relief from guilt.  This forgiveness is an “act of liberation touching every dimension of their life: healing, empowering, speaking the truth.”  No wonder they’re joyful. They’re back in the fold.

Another reason for their disbelieving joy is that their sorrow and defeat had been so great.  You and I, who will face similar sorrow and defeat in our lives, are able to understand.  After emotional turmoil, after loss, after defeat, something grand happens, or we heal unexpectedly, or God comes to us with an answer we didn’t expect, or peace and calm replace a troubled spirit.

When we say Christ is risen, we affirm that God will guide us when we put our trust in Him.  In the words of C. S. Lewis, we will be surprised by joy.

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