Between

Easter Sunday and Ascension Day, there are forty days. We only have

glimpses of what Jesus did during that period, but our reading for

today includes two of those glimpses—one taking place on Easter

Sunday, and the other on Ascension Day.

Jesus’

Easter appearance to his disciples shocks them. They are startled and

frightened. They have fears and doubts. In response, Jesus encourages

his disciples to look at his hands. He even uses his hands to take

some fish and eat it, showing them he is real, having flesh and

bones.

The

crucified hands of Jesus have inspired artists and poets for 2,000

years. And these same hands are later raised over the disciples in

blessing as Jesus parts with them. Luke records that after Jesus is

taken up to heaven, the disciples worship him and return to Jerusalem

“with great joy.”

Sometimes

our understanding of the work of Jesus and our response can come

across as mechanical or even pompous. It should never be. A key

remedy is to focus on the hands of Jesus. His hands were pierced for

you and me. And they still reach out to us, in all our need each day,

and bless us.