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.