3rd Sunday of Easter
Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48
On this third Sunday of Easter, the revised common lectionary presents Luke’s version of Jesus’s post-resurrection appearance to the disciples. Some of the same themes are present. The disciples are afraid and still doubting. Then Jesus makes himself present in flesh and blood. The disciples can see and touch his still-healing wounds, and we get a feeling that, like in John’s version, such an act from Christ comforts the disciples and helps them believe.
Nonetheless, Luke provides us with some unique insights about this encounter. Three times between Peter’s Messianic declaration(Luke 9:20) and the cross, Jesus had told the disciples about his fate, but they could not grasp the meaning of it under the umbrella of God’s divine purpose for them (9:22, 44; 18:31-34). Only at this moment does Jesus choose to “open their minds” to the meaning of this gift. Next, Luke provides another nugget unique to his version of the post-resurrection appearance: disciples are to be witnesses of those things.
As Luke also wrote the book of Acts, the theme of being a witness leaks into this Sunday reading. After proclaiming the resurrection in deed through the healing of a beggar who was crippled from birth (Acts 3:8-9), Peter moves to testify in words by challenging the belief system of those worshiping at the temple. When they failed to see Jesus for who he was and denied him – somewhat like the disciples did – they, too, missed the divine purpose for those who encountered the Messiah. Even so, the hope of restoration remains for them in the presence of Jesus (verses 19-20).
The divine purpose for the Messiah is disclosed in the first letter of John. Christ was revealed to take away sins (3:5), and those in whom Jesus remains are made righteous by him (6).
The psalmist proclaims:
“But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.
You have put gladness in my heart
more than when their grain and wine abound.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.”
(Psalm 4:3, 7-8, NRSVue).
Bridging Faith 