Text: Luke 24:36-53

Today we read the final post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, and find there a summing up of all the answers we have seen so far to our question: Jesus is risen! Now What? Now at last, the disciples will be ready to share and be his presence in the world, because they will finally understand more fully the radical message Jesus is calling them to share.

Series: He is Risen! Now What?

Text: Luke 24:13-35

"But we had hoped..." These words from this Sunday’s gospel reading, from the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, express an aching and longing that all of us feel at some point in our lives. We had hoped that things would be different than this. We had hoped for a different sort of future than the one we’re getting. A sudden diagnosis. The loss of a loved one. In a moment, our outlook on the future can be radically changed. When these two disciples open themselves to community with a stranger, they unexpectedly find that the risen Jesus has been walking with them all along, gently guiding them to a new future.

Text: Matthew 28:16-20

When people think of the message of Christianity, they most often think of something like, "You are a sinner, and you need to believe Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sins in order to be saved." That message talks about what we're saved from, but says nothing about what we're saved for. The message of Jesus is so much bigger.

Text: John 21:15-19

Is it possible for shame to be a good thing? As the scene with the risen Jesus and the disciples on the beach continues, Jesus has some business to take care of with Peter. The last time he stood by a charcoal fire, he denied he even knew Jesus. Now Jesus re-establishes the relationship - and so much more - turning Peter's shame into a moment of growth.

Text: John 21:1-14

Where do we encounter the risen Jesus? Maybe...at breakfast? We see in this week's post-resurrection appearance that Jesus shows up in the disciples' daily rhythms - in their working, eating, and playing. Perhaps that's where we should expect to find Jesus, infusing our routines with new meaning. We encounter him in worship, so that we may be given new eyes to see him everywhere!

Series: He is Risen! Now What?

Text: Luke 24:1-12

Not quite sure about the resurrection? You're in good company - neither were the first disciples. But when we join the community of the church, we are joining a long tradition of people who dare to believe that more is possible.

Text: Luke 22:39-23:56

Accompanying Jesus to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 says it was for the joy set before Jesus that he endured the cross. You are that joy.

Texts: Luke 19:29-40, Zechariah 9:9-10

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people hailed him as king. In recent years some theologians have begun referring to the "kin-dom" of God rather than the kingdom. Is this a good move? What are we losing with this language?