Sunday 6 September, 2015

9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

* After his death, Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene and then to two other disciples. All three rushed to tell other believers of their encounter with Jesus and that he was alive! No one believed them.

* We are told that at the time Jesus appeared to Mary and the other disciples they were grieving and weeping.

What is telling here is that although these disciples had a direct encounter with Jesus they were not believed. Jesus did foretell his death and that he would rise again so in some respects this was not new information. None the less they were not believed. We all know what it’s like not to be believed! Even a young child can tell you how this feels. I know in sharing my faith and what Jesus has done is also sometimes met with varying levels of disbelief. Jesus has been on the end of this and he lovingly persevered. He kept telling, sharing and showing so I am encouraged to do likewise.

The second thing I take from this passage is the state of mind of the disciples. It says they were grieving and weeping. This is not surprising, the one they loved and gave up everything to follow had died. They were gutted. I don’t think this helped them believe, that just possibly, maybe, Jesus was alive just like he said? Their grief was so great, so intense that faith was quashed. Fortunately this was only temporary as the reality of Jesus resurrection sunk in and faith returned.

Dear Lord please forgive us when we don’t believe what you have said. Amen

Written by Ainslie Woods