Today is Easter Sunday, and all over the world millions of Christians will celebrate the fact of the resurrection of Jesus. It is amazing to think that Jesus knows each one of them.
The number is very different from those who met him on the first Easter Sunday. Initially, he met one person, Mary Magdalene, and assured her in the midst of her confusion that he was alive. Discovering that truth changed her for the rest of her life, and she has been with him in heaven since her time here ended.
Later on that first Easter Sunday, Jesus met others of his followers and gave to all of them his peace. He even had time for Peter who had denied him so strongly. That must have been a precious time for Peter, and for Jesus as the Saviour. All these interactions tell us the priorities of Jesus concerning his people.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. This means at least that he wants us to know his blessings of assurance, peace and forgiveness. While we cannot yet meet with him physically we can make contact through the Spirit. Indeed he was given by Jesus in order to take his things and reveal them to us.
Easter is a reminder that death has been defeated, that hope is real, that salvation is sure, that Jesus wants to be with his people, and that our current life and circumstances, whatever they involve, are nowhere near the full story. What matters is that the Lord is risen and is now waiting for the world full of life to come.
