This Easter, ask God to open your eyes to the nail-scarred hands of Jesus. Think hard on all that Christ suffered for your salvation.
On the day after Christ’s Resurrection, a lot was happening. Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and it is not too late to say Happy Easter. Because when Jesus rose from the dead, it changed all of history. I’m serious! Colossians 1 puts it this way: “[Jesus] is the beginning and the firstborn from among many of the dead.” That means if you know Christ, you are part of a new humanity; you’re a different kind of human. Jesus was your forerunner; he was the progenitor of a brand-new creation. That’s you too. Oh, thank the Lord for his resurrection. But not everybody recognized him.
I’m thinking of the story in Luke 24 about the disciples who, after Jesus was killed, decided to take the road to Emmaus. They were pretty downcast as they traveled and discouraged. Jesus was dead, and so were their hopes. As they were talking, a fascinating traveler comes up beside them and gets into the conversation. This man is so intriguing that the disciples want to hear more. And as the three approach the village of Emmaus, the disciples urge this man to come stay with them. Now, let’s pick it up at verse 30: “When he [that is Jesus] was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They quickly found the eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Now, I love that story; I just love it because it’s so full of hope. And looking back over it, what was it that brought that “Aha!” moment for the disciples? Well, it plainly states, “Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Their eyes saw the plate, the loaf, and the hands reach for the bread, then tear it apart. Something seemed familiar about that. And the disciples wondered, is this the same man who, just days earlier in the Upper Room, broke bread in similar fashion? They looked closer, watching him as he handed the loaf. And suddenly, I think that’s when their eyes were opened, and they knew. The disciples had to see the scars in the hands of Jesus. How could they miss it? What other living man could walk around, bearing the marks of his own crucifixion? It was him!
And there is a lesson in here for us. It’s something I was taught long ago, and I remember it to this day whenever I speak to others about the Gospel. Because when we talk about God to others, we must always point to Christ. And when we talk about Christ, we must always talk about the cross. First Corinthians 1:18 tells us that “The cross… is the power of God.” Oh, friend, the father will open the eyes of people when they grasp what happened for them on the cross. It’s what makes the Christian faith utterly unique. When we point sinners to Calvary, they cannot miss the exclusivity of Christianity. I mean, what other man in all of history died from being brutally crucified and yet still lives?
So, on this Easter Monday, ask God to open your eyes to the nail-scarred hands of Jesus and all that it means. Think hard on all that Christ suffered for your salvation. And then, take the bread. The bread of life. Feed on him by faith with thanksgiving. And keep celebrating his resurrection all throughout this year.
© Joni and Friends