Now What Jesus?
Jesus has risen from the dead and appeared to His disciples. But He has disappeared too. “Now what Jesus” the disciples ask. They try and fill in the blank themselves.
Jesus and His disciples have been together for three and a half years. They eat together, sleep together, teach, and preach together. They were separated for a little while when He sent them out to teach on their own, or when He went off somewhere to pray. But this is different. They have no idea where He is. They see Him for a few hours at a time and have no clue where He goes when they are not together.
And, they don’t have clear direction. “Stay in the city until you are clothes with power from on high” (Luke 25:49). What does Jesus mean by this? He isn’t there to ask.
Some of the disciples decide to go back to their old ways. Let’s rejoin our story as the disciples try and figure things out.
Holy Spirit, guide this journey today. Help me to see through their eyes. Show me what You want me to learn from this story. And help me to trust; just like You helped the disciples to trust.
♥ ♦ ♥
Excitement fills the house after Jesus’ departure. They KNOW that Jesus IS alive! His eating with them seals it.
“We have to let the rest of His followers know” John tells the group.
“What if the Romans or the Pharisees hear this report” asks Matthew.
“I have a feeling that the Pharisees already know” offers Mary Magdalene. “They set a guard over the tomb, but when we got there, it was deserted. Surely the guards went and told Caiaphas.”
“You are probably right. We will have to wait and see what ‘story’ they come up with. I will guarantee that it won’t be the truth” adds John.
“We need to be careful as we spread the word. Remember Jesus’ words; ‘They will hate you because they hated Me.’”
“Still, the rest of His followers HAVE to know. They can’t go on living in mourning” offers Cleopas.
“Let’s split into groups and visit the rest of His followers” suggests Matthew.
“What about Jesus’ telling us to ‘Stay in the city until we are given power from on high’” asks Bartholomew.
“Let’s go, and meet back here in one week. Then we can figure out what to do from there” offers Simon.
Once the plan is made, the disciples sneak out of the city, two by two. They travel only at night, so that the religious leaders won’t know of their movements. The women stay in the city to welcome any who come before the week is over.
“I want to tell Nicodemus and Joseph of Jesus’ resurrection” Mary Magdalene tells the other women.
Jesus’ ima worries about that. “What if they try and arrest you?”
“No one believes the testimony of a woman. Besides, I will only approach them if they are alone.”
“Be careful.”
Mary wraps herself in old clothing and carefully makes her way through the city to the religious quarter. She immediately recognizes Joseph as he steps from his house. No one is nearby as she approaches. She walks stooped over, as though an elderly woman.
Joseph doesn’t recognize Mary as she approaches. He intends to pass on by.
“Joseph, it’s me, Mary” Mary whispers as the two are side by side.
Joseph stops and looks closely at her. Before he can say her name though, Mary puts a finger to her lips. Joseph nods.
“Pretend you are blessing an old woman” Mary whispers.
Joesph looks around and sees a few others walking the streets. “Bless you mother. May Adonai shine His face upon you.”
“Thank you, Rabi” Mary says in an elderly woman’s voice. “Jesus is alive!” she whispers.
Joseph’s eyes go wide. “Are you certain” he whispers back.
“He appeared among us. He had us touch Him and He ate a meal with us.”
Joseph looks around again. No one is paying them any attention.
“Where is He now?”
“We don’t know. He disappeared before our eyes, but He said He would meet us in Galilee at the tomb.”
“Then I will be sure to get transferred there.”
“Will you tell Nicodemus for me. I don’t know if I can reach him.”
“I will.”
Mary turns to leave, but Joseph puts a hand out to stall her. “We were told by Caiaphas that the disciples stole Jesus’ body away.”
Mary’s eyes flash with anger. “It’s a lie!” she whispers vehemently. “He rose, just as He said.”
“I believe you. And, thank you for getting word to me. I will see you in Galilee.”
Mary returns to the house and shares her adventure with the rest of the women.
In many towns in the region, this scene is playing out between the disciples and Jesus’ followers. Lazarus and his sisters were overjoyed to receive the news.
“Don’t come to Jerusalem though” warns Simon. “The religious leaders may yet try and kill Lazarus, as he is living proof of Jesus’ power.”
Thomas is in Hebron when James and Thaddeus find him.
“Brother!” Thaddeus calls as he embraces Thomas. “We need to speak with you, privately.”
Thomas is staying with a family who owns a vineyard. They were followers of Jesus and offered Thomas a place to stay and work.
Thomas willingly goes with his two friends, but his heart is heavy where theirs are light. When they are away from everyone else, James takes Thomas by the shoulders.
“We have seen the Lord!” (John 20:25a).
“What are you talking about” demands Thomas.
“He rose from the dead, just as He said He would.”
“Why would you say such a thing? You know it’s not possible.”
“Are you forgetting Who you are talking about? With Jesus, ANYTHING is possible.”
“Stop it!” roars Thomas. “I don’t know what you are trying to do, but I don’t believe you.”
James’ eyes soften. “We thought He was a ghost when He appeared in the room with us. But He told us to touch Him. And He even ate a meal with us. Do dead people do that?”
“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25b).
“Come back with us to Jerusalem. Meet with the others. They can testify to what we are saying.”
Thomas grudgingly agrees to return to Jerusalem but he still does not believe a word they are saying. Several others, of Jesus’ followers, agree to return to Jerusalem. Most decline though, saying it is too hard or that they are too busy.
Everyone meets back at the house in Jerusalem on the eighth day after Jesus’ resurrection. It is a bitter sweet reunion. Those who have not seen Jesus are skeptical. Few actually received the news with gladness. Most with trepidation.
“Have you seen Jesus since that first time” Thomas asks.
“No. But your remember how He would go off on His own at times. I am resigned to wait here until He comes again” replies Matthew.
As the group is discussing Jesus’ absence, He appears in the room again. No going through the door or window. Just there in an instant.
ALL the disciples fall on their knees. Jesus smiles at them. “Peace be with you” (John 20:26).
Jesus turns, extends His arms, and looks directly at Thomas. “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe” (John 20:27).
“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) Thomas cries.
Jesus shakes His head and says “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Not a single unbeliever remains. Jesus’ disciples and followers, within the confines of this room, KNOW without a doubt that Jesus indeed rose from the grave.
Peter remains on the periphery during both visits. He engages if anyone speaks to him, but his guilt is still crushing. He keeps flashing back to the moment he and Jesus made eye contact after his THIRD denial.
“Some ‘rock’ I am” he thinks to himself every night.
Jesus vanishes from the room again as cleanly as He appeared. Just before He vanishes, He reminds them of the message from the angels. “Remember, it was said of Me that I would meet you in Galilee.”
The disciples are torn. “Jesus said to remain in the city, but He also said He would meet us in Galilee. What are we supposed to do?”
“He didn’t say ‘which city’ to remain in. Maybe we are supposed to go back to Capernaum. That was His home base during His ministry” offers Matthew.
It is agreed. The disciples pack and return to Capernaum. When they arrive, Joseph greets them.
“Welcome home brothers. Is Jesus with you?”
“No. He isn’t. We have seen Him twice, but He appears and then disappears without telling us where He is going.”
Joseph’s face falls. “I so wanted to see Him. To apologize for not standing up for Him against Caiaphas.”
“I have much more to apologize for” Peter says with his eyes fixed on the ground.
“I’m sorry Peter” is all Joseph can think to offer.
After two days in Capernaum, Peter is restless. Jesus has not appeared to them since leaving Jerusalem and he has no idea what he is supposed to do with his life. This evening, after dinner, Peter can take the uncertainty no longer.
“I’m going fishing” (John 21: 3a) he announces.
To his surprise, six voices echo his sentiment. “We will go with you” (John 21:3b).
Peter is grateful for the company. The seven men rise from the table and make their way to the sea shore. Those who were fishermen stop long enough to retrieve their tools. They gather around the boats Peter and Andrew, and James and John abandoned so many years ago. Zebedee has maintained them, so Jesus would have transportation any time He needs.
It feels good to be out on the water again. Muscle memory kicks in and those who were ‘born to fish’ lead the way for the rest. The night started out light with laughter, but as the first rays of the sun creep into the sky, everyone is frustrated. They fished ALL NIGHT and caught not a single fish.
Peter throws the net into the bottom of the boat. “Nothing! Not a single fish.” He sits down heavily on one of the plank seats. “Another wasted night.”
A voice calls out to them from the shore. “Children, do you have any fish?” (John 21:5a).
A chorus of disheartened voices rises from the boats. “No” (John 21:5b).
“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some” (John 21:6) the Man calls back.
Peter wags his head and throws up his hands. “Why not! We have nothing to lose, and it will shut the mouth of that ‘know it all’ on the shore.”
Peter and Andrew heave the net over the right side of their boat. James and John maneuver their boat to catch the leading edge of the net. As soon as it is secure, the net begins to bubble with life.
“FISH!” yells Thomas.
John’s heart is drawn to the man on the seashore. In an instant, he knows who waits there. He turns to Peter with excitement in his eyes. “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7).
John’s words strike Peter like electricity. He KNOWS it in his spirit too. Memories of this same event happening the day Jesus took them from the sea to become fishers of men leaps to his mind. It is almost as though he is being called again; a ‘do over’ for him.
Peter quickly puts on his outer robe, as he laid it aside for the heavy work. He doesn’t even hesitate a second after tying his belt before plunging off the boat into the water. He swims and runs with every ounce of strength in him to get to the shore.
Out of breath, but charged with excitement, Peter comes ashore. The others are bringing in the boats and the net full of fish. They are not far behind Peter.
As soon as the boats touch ground, the rest of the disciples jump out and wade their way onto shore. Behind Jesus is a charcoal fire with fish roasting on it and bread laid out beside it.
Jesus tells Peter; “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught” (John 21:10).
Peter runs back to the boat and drags the net on shore, with all the fish still in it. He quickly chooses three of the biggest fish he has ever caught and brings them back to the fire.
Jesus waves His hand over the rocks near the fire. “Come and have breakfast” (John 21:12).
Everyone is excited! They all KNOW exactly who has just invited them to breakfast; Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Peter quickly cleans the fish he brought and lays them on the fire to roast before joining in the meal. Everyone is satisfied by the time the last of the meal disappears. They have so many questions for Jesus, but they hold them, for now.
When the meal is over, Jesus turns to Peter. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15a).
Peter answers without reservation. “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you” (John 21:15b).
Jesus nods. “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15c).
After a few minutes, Jesus says to Peter; “Walk with me.”
Peter doesn’t hesitate for a moment. He and Jesus set out walking along the shore. Peter’s heart still carries the guilt of that night and he has no idea how to approach it with Jesus. He pushes it down, again.
As they are walking, Jesus turns to speak to Peter again. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:16a).
Peter is confused as to why Jesus is asking him again, but he readily answers Him. “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you” (John 21:16b).
Jesus looks at Peter with determination in His eyes. “Tend my sheep” (John 21:16c)
After a few more minutes, Jesus turns to Peter again. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:17a).
Peter’s heart is breaking. Does Jesus not believe him? Why does He keep asking? With tears filling his voice, Peter cries out to Jesus; “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you” (John 21:17b).
Jesus puts His hand on Peter’s shoulder. “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17c). Jesus drops His hand and continues speaking to Peter’s heart. “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18).
Jesus looks deeply in Peter’s eyes and says the same words that He spoke that morning on the sea shore so many years ago; “Follow me” (John 21:19).
Peter feels the weight of Jesus’ words. It reminds him of the night when Jesus told them one would betray Him. Judas truly betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders, but Peter knows that he betrayed Him as well.
Thinking about this, Peter looks in the direction they had traveled. He sees John following at a discrete distance. He wonders about John’s future; the one who leaned against Jesus that night.
“Lord, what about this man?” (John 21:21).
Jesus glances back at John and then refocuses on Peter. “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
As Jesus and Peter walk back to join the other disciples, Peter realizes that Jesus has just called him to service, one time for each time he denied Him.
Jesus continued to come and go in the disciples’ lives for the next few weeks. One of those meetings involves more than five hundred people. Joseph is one of that crowd.
“Lord, thank You for allowing me to see You” Joseph says.
“Thank you for the love you showed to Me that day” Jesus replies.
“How did You know? Who told You?” asks Joseph
“I saw everything you and Nicodemus did for My body. No one needed to tell Me.”
“It was an honor and the least I could do for my Lord.”
“Whatever you do to the least of these in my name” Jesus sweeps his arm across the crowd, “you do it unto Me.”
Thirty-five days after rising from the grave, Jesus calls His disciples to make one final trip with Him. This trip starts from Mount Tabor. This is the very place where Jesus was transfigured in front of three of His disciples.
He gives them their future. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Some of those who watched did not believe Jesus’ words. Their fear keeps them from fully submitting to Jesus’ words.
Once Jesus finishes giving this command, He starts walking. “Follow me once more on the road.”
The disciples fall in line, just as they had done for so many trips. They travel together all the way to Bethany. It has been forty days since Jesus rose from the dead and Pentecost is tend days away. Jesus leads them all to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Jesus stands, looking out over Jerusalem.
John asks Him; “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).
Jesus turns to all those who followed Him and shakes His head. “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8).
As soon as Jesus finishes speaking, He begins to rise into the air. The men all stand there, dumbfounded. They watch as Jesus disappears from sight. And they watch even longer. After a few minutes, two men in gleaming white robes stand before them in the place where Jesus stood.
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
“It’s time to go” John says.
“Where are we going” asks James.
“To the same place where we ate our final meal with Jesus” says Peter.
“Why” asks Matthew.
“Because that’s where my spirit is telling me to go. It is the place where Jesus gave us the promise of The Spirit” Peter answers.
(to be continued)
What Peter doesn’t grasp in Jesus repeated question is that Jesus is meeting him where he is. Or at least I have been told for many years. I have heard over the years that Jesus is asking Peter if he has God’s kind of love for Him; Agape. Peter is answering with that he has brotherly love for Jesus; Philadelphia. I was taught that it was Phileo though. Looking at the search I just did, Philadelphia is stronger than phileo. Philadelphia is the meaning Peter was responding with. “The strong bond and affection among brothers or fellow believers.”
But I have to wonder. Were they speaking different words? Wouldn’t they know the difference if they were? Or was this something that was revealed by the Holy Spirit through John and later through those who studied the Greek translations?
This reminds me though of everyday people. When we say, “I love you” to one another, are we speaking the same depth of love that the other is conveying? One may just be saying the words, while another is speaking them with every fiber of their being. And how often does our depth of that word change?
The depth of God’s love NEVER changes. No matter what. Our relationship changes though. It can deepen or grow stagnate. That is our side of the ‘love equation’.
Father God, I DO love You! I know it’s not the same desperate dependence every day. But I am LOST without You. I cannot imagine my life without You. I want to show You my love every day.
THANK YOU for helping me with my frustration too! I KNOW it is only by Your hand that my heart has mellowed again. I’m not perfect, but I’m FAR from how I was two weeks ago. THANK YOU!!!! And with that change came a renewal of love. Both received from You and passed from my hands. Continue to flow through me Lord.
