The resurrection stories present quite a mysterious Jesus—familiar in so many ways to the Jesus we hear about before the crucifixion and yet often unrecognized by even the closest followers. In the gospel accounts, the resurrected Jesus is revealed by different means.
To start, in the gospel of Mark we are simply told Jesus appeared in multiple forms, without really any further specifics provided. The text of Matthew is similarly nebulous. (Mark 16, Matthew 28)
The gospels of Luke and John decidedly give more clarity as to the nature of the resurrected Lord, while still leaving us much to ponder.
In one story of Luke’s narrative, Jesus meets with some disciples while they are walking. They do not recognize the Lord, even after spending hours with Jesus talking about the scriptures. It isn’t until they sit down to eat and Jesus breaks bread that they recognize it is the Lord. (Luke 24:36-49)
In the gospel account of John, the first appearance of the resurrected Lord is a very personal encounter. While weeping alone at the tomb, Mary Magdalene sees an individual who she assumes to be the gardener. It is only when Jesus says her name that she recognizes her Lord. (John 20:11-18)
In another story from John, some disciples are fishing (unsuccessfully) when Jesus calls out to them from the shore with some fishing advice. They do not realize it is Jesus until they find themselves hauling in an overwhelming load of fish. Through this miraculous catch, they recognize it is their Lord. (John 21:1-14)
Now, what gets really interesting is that in most of the resurrection stories there is often a sense that the appearance of Jesus is not as one might expect. The texts do not give details, so we can only read between the lines and come to assume that the resurrected state of Jesus is somehow different.
What tips the hand of the risen Lord is tangible and tactile actions. The risen Lord is not a spirit or ghostly presence—the Lord is risen, indeed, and in full flesh.
Though Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after rising from the dead, the resurrected Lord can still be experienced through the ways we hear about in the gospels. When we share bread with others, we see the Lord. When we listen to our name being called by the Holy Spirit, we come close to Christ. When we humbly follow the way of Jesus, we are invited into the abundantly joyful life God has planned for us.
We worship a Lord that desires to be fully present with us, and the Easter season is a time for us to especially celebrate this. Likewise, Christ calls us as faithful followers to be physical manifestations of the resurrection in our world today, being fully present for others and working together to build the ever-expanding Kingdom of God.
Relevant Reformation 