In their Easter message, The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester and the Rt Revd Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough reflect on the ways and places we might 'recognise' Jesus.
The Bishops' Easter Message:
The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester (MS): The Gospel writer Luke tells us about an incident on the afternoon of the first Easter. Dejected and with hope dashed, two disappointed disciples were walking on the Emmaus Road, unaware that Jesus had risen. The Risen Jesus comes and walks alongside them. Fascinatingly, Luke draws our attention by telling us about their eyes:
- Luke 24:16 - Their eyes were kept from recognising Him.
- Luke 24:31 - Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised Him.
Perception, enlightenment, realisation, reflection, clarity - these insights for the disciples came with their eyes opening.
The Rt Revd Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough (SM): How did they recognise Him?
How they recognise Him is also how we recognise Him.
They - and we - recognise Jesus in the pages of Scripture. Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
We recognise in creation (Psalm 19: "The heavens declare the glory of God"), in pain (C.S. Lewis: "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world"), through the still small voice, in the sacraments (Jesus is made known in the breaking of the bread), through providence, answered prayer, worship, physical signs, and the actual voice.
Scripture promises: Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you.
MS: The resurrection of Jesus enables us to recognise Jesus by giving meaning to our everyday mundane lives in that our salvation lies not in escaping this world but in God's invitation to transform it. This biblical vision is unique.
Tom Wright says, "When the final resurrection occurs, as the centrepiece of God's new creation, we will discover that everything done in the present world in the power of Jesus' resurrection will be celebrated, included, and transformed." Every act of love, every deed done in Christ by His Spirit, every work of true creativity - whether it is doing justice, making peace, healing families, resisting temptation, seeking and winning true freedom - what is it that you do in the name of Jesus by His Spirit to make this world a better place? What do we do in the name of Christ by His Spirit as a church?
SM: Maybe you are a young person accompanying friends in good and bad times. Maybe you visit the elderly because you know they are the loneliest in our society. Maybe you offer a listening ear to someone in need. Maybe you lead others in worship, teach children, bring wholeness, health, and healing as a nurse, influence young minds as a parent, help others learn Scripture, faithfully pray, administer diligently, practice hospitality, or provide a voice for the voiceless. Whatever you do (paid or unpaid!) in the name of Jesus by His Spirit - it is an earthly event in the long history of things that acts as a signpost of hope.
MS: God is remaking this world. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear what God is doing in the world and join Him. Come and See. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia.