4/11/2023

On previous Easter weekends my practice has been to read the gospel accounts of the

resurrection of Jesus in various Bible versions. This year I decided to try something different. I

decided to have the YouVersion Bible app read to me the descriptions of what happened.

I listened intently as John 20 was read about how Jesus’ disciples found the tomb was empty.

Though I’ve read verse 10 again and again, I’d never noticed how they responded to the

resurrection. When I heard the words “Then they went home”, my immediate reaction was:

“Wait, what?”

They discovered the empty tomb, and they just returned home? How is that possible? That

couldn’t be right. 

So, I checked the Greek text of the verse. And I was struck by what it literally says: “They came to themselves anew.” Wow!

When we begin to grasp the wonder and mystery of Jesus’ resurrection, we come to ourselves.

We rediscover who we truly are. Like was said of the Prodigal Son, we come to our senses, we

find our way back to God.

Several people who were a part of Journey’s moving and meaningful Good Friday and/or Easter services spoke to me about how Journey just feels like “home” to them. It’s a place they know they are loved and accepted.

I hope when this Easter was over you didn’t simply go home, remaining unmoved, unchanged,

untransformed. I hope this Easter, like the disciples did on that very first Easter, you came home to yourself because you experienced the risen Jesus.

I look forward to seeing you at “home” this coming Sunday!

-Michael