Encountering Christ … Just as it was for the disciples in their day, Christ’s presence is still a source of peace, joy, and hope today. Everyone who accepts His invitation will experience His nearness.
“Over the last few days, I have been praying and reflecting on which Bible passage might serve as the basis for this divine service,” said Helge Mutschler, then Chief Apostle Helper, as he began his sermon on Sunday, 19 April, in Nieuwegein in the Netherlands. “Then this passage from the Bible caught my eye, Luke 24: 39.” Namely: “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see.”
There is a parallel account John’s gospel, describing the events that took place on the eve of Easter. The disciples had come together. They were utterly exhausted and saddened by the death of Jesus and had gone into hiding. They were desperate and terrified at the thought that they too might be persecuted and killed. But suddenly they found Jesus Himself standing in their midst.
Jesus, the messenger of peace
“He uttered a single word: ‘Shalom, peace be with you.’” Everyone can understand what the disciples were feeling in the light of their own life experience: exhaustion, fear, grief, and despair. But when two or three gather together, the Lord Jesus “suddenly steps into our midst and is there”. He does not reproach us, makes no demands, but comes in peace and serenity. This is how we can recognise Jesus Christ: in His presence there is neither agitation nor anxiety, but calm and peace.
Jesus, the Living One
The disciples were terribly frightened. They were afraid and thought that the One standing among them was a ghost. “He spoke a second time: ‘Behold My hands and My feet.’” These hands had blessed children and healed lepers. These feet “have walked with you, with all your worries, with all your questions”. They have walked with you through the worst pain, have carried your cross, and will walk with you when you die.
The wounds in His hands and feet bear witness to Jesus’ love and His suffering. He knows what it means to suffer, to grieve, and to be in pain. He is not a ghost, but “He is truly with you”, the Chief Apostle Helper said. “Christ is here, with His wounds. And Christ is truly here with His peace.”
Jesus, the True One
“Jesus Christ said to His disciples: ‘It is I.’” The resurrection of Jesus is not a symbol, but a real event in human history. He is truly alive and present. He is the life, the resurrection, and the truth.
Some theological lines of thought are not convinced of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They argue that it is scientifically impossible, and that it was a purely spiritual resurrection. “We, the New Apostolic Church, take a different view on this subject. We believe in, and teach, that the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ did indeed take place.”
Jesus is within reach
Jesus said to His disciples: “Handle Me and see.” Here He is offering one of the most beautiful invitations in the entire New Testament: “I am someone you can touch. I am someone you can build a relationship with. I am personal. I am close. Touch Me and take Me into your arms.”
And “how do I live with Jesus?” What matters in faith is that He does not merely consist of memories, as with a loved one who has passed away, but that our faith is alive—that “I touch Jesus, take Him into my arms, and tell Him everything”.
“I love you so much”
The disciples were so overwhelmed with joy that they could scarcely comprehend what had happened. A true encounter with Christ fills people with joy, peace, and new hope. “So, if we are completely devoid of joy, we can invite the Lord and say to Him each time, ‘Come into our midst!’”
The day of the first resurrection will come. Then we will be clothed with a new body. Jesus will take His own to Himself, grant them eternal peace, look upon them and say, “I love you so much.”
Photo: NAK Nederland
