Easter, the day of Christ's victory over death and darkness, has always been observed by the church on Sunday, the first day in the week in memory of that supreme event in history, The Resurrection. The thoughtfulness of Jesus for his disciples is remarkable in the Gospel. We see it in the way he arranged for them to be told of His rising from the dead.
The strong persistence of Jesus in winning their allegiance to Him is to be noticed again in organising His appearances to them. He provided the assurance they craved to have again after witnessing His humiliation on the Cross, His being "proved" to be a criminal, and the finality of his body being placed in a tomb both sealed and guarded. To the world it looked like their beloved Master and his way of life and love was dead and gone for ever.
But the Lord of life and love determined that in his plan his devoted followers must be convinced believers in His Resurrection. He cured their agony of mind and replaced it with the conviction expressed with ecstasy by succeeding generations ever since. "Christ is risen". "He is risen indeed!" One writer in stressing the importance of the disciples' belief in the Resurrection says: "Christ might not have been heard of again, but for them!".
As we give thanks for the witness of the disciples and all believers we pray for all longing to believe. Science may affirm that, no energy is ever lost, that "the rolling seasons" witness to God's constant life in the re emergence of life in spring growth. The resurrection of Jesus seems almost too good to be true. The distraught disciples felt that way until He convinced them.
They were confident through their experiences with Jesus that he was always in charge and kept his promises. Of one thing we can be sure about is that they would be praying for his promise of rising again to happen.
The prayers would develop hope in them and a readiness to accept his presence even if it happens in unexpected ways. This happened to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Unrecognised, Jesus joined with them as they walked. Men of prayer, they were talking about recent reports that Jesus had risen and had been seen by some believers. When they reached Emmaus they courteously invited Jesus into their home, using words familiar to us in a famous hymn. "Abide with us for it is toward evening and the day is far spent." Then again the unexpected thing happened in ordinary circumstances. Jesus asked for a blessing on their sharing of their evening meal. Their eyes were opened, and they knew him. He cured their agony of Good Friday and gave them the ecstasy of Easter confidence.
The same thing has happened to despondent people ever since and especially in the breaking of bread. Hallelujah!