Robert Gardenhire
When We See The Risen Jesus
God’s Word reveals a marvelous myriad of responses that come from seeing the risen Jesus. Whether it is knowing Him as “Master,” feeling His heartburning influence, experiencing the joy of His presence or esteeming Him as “Lord and God,” seeing the risen Jesus is life’s greatest eye-opening experience. How do we see the Christ who died as a sacrifice for our sins and arose to confirm our salvation?
When responding to the call of our risen Lord, we know Him as our “Master.” Mary Magdalene, the first to see the risen Christ, mistook Him to have been the gardener in the cemetery. It was only after Jesus called her by name that she turned in recognition and acknowledgment of His presence. Her one-word response – “Master” (John 20:16) revealed that she not only recognized Him, but she also knew Him. Do we know Him as our Master?
When walking with Jesus and listening intently to the gospel message, our hearts burn! Two men, after walking with the once-crucified Jesus on the Emmaus Road, exclaimed, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us” (Luke 24:32). Do we study the Bible and listen to the Word of God so well that we walk with Christ and feel His burning effect on our hearts?
As we witness the appearance of the death-defying Jesus in our lives we are overjoyed! On the evening of the first day of the week when the risen Christ entered the place where His devoted disciples were gathered, they were “overjoyed when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20 NIV). Do we feel the ecstatic joy that comes as we witness the presence of the eternal Jesus?
When we visualize the nail-torn hands and sword-pierced side of the living Christ we esteem Him as our Lord and God. Thomas spontaneously declared, “My Lord and My God,” when he saw the Savior (John 20:28). Thank God that we can spontaneously and rightfully claim Christ as our Lord and our God.
As we reflect on Jesus’ tragic death, remember His humble burial and celebrate His glorious resurrection, what is our response? May we know Him as our “Master,” have our hearts burn because of His gospel, delight at His presence and esteem Him as “Lord and God?” May God bless the Schrader Lane Church of Christ.