13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. Luke 24:13-16 NIV
(Read the whole story: Luke 24:13-35)
You might think that, with the earthshaking news of the Resurrection, Jesus would have appeared first to the largest crowds. But He didn’t. The day He rose He found Mary Magdalene weeping by the tomb, and two disciples heading away from Jerusalem, meeting them all right where they were. He made sure they recognized Him. He made sure they knew that He was alive! Imagine how that must have felt.
Because He is alive, and He meets us, too, right where we are.
You might think that, with His mission accomplished, Jesus would “ride off into the sunset.” But He didn’t. He stayed for 40 days, engaging, teaching, blessing, loving and empowering. Imagine how that must have felt.
Because He is alive, and He empowers us, too, through His Spirit.
You might think that, with the universe at His command, Jesus would choose better messengers than broken humans. But He didn’t. He empowered His followers to bring the Good News to a sick and frightened world. Then He promised to be with them always. Imagine how that must have felt.
Because He is alive, and He is with us always, too, “until the very end of the age.”
You might think that the message is simple: “Everyone needs a Savior.” And that’s the Good News: because He is alive! He is Mighty to Save!
And because Jesus is alive, everyone can know exactly how that feels!