Often, we long to see evidence before we believe something to be true. Yet faith requires us to put our trust in a Savior who is no longer visibly present. Saint Augustine said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” This Easter season, Jesus awakens our hearts and allows us to see Jesus with eyes of faith. With belief, we can see our lives changed by the resurrection of our living Savior.
April 9 – EASTER – Beyond Expectation Mary and Mary visit the tomb with the expectation to see the lifeless body of Jesus. They witness an incredible angelic act that revealed that Jesus was raised from the dead, and that they should return to Galilee to see him there. But once again, Jesus would exceed their expectations and he meets them on the road before they arrive. We often have expectations of Jesus, how he should act in our timing. But he invites us today to hear his promises which bring us faith and then reveals himself as better than we might expect.
April 16 – See the Blessings Thomas could not believe the testimony of the other disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to them. He needed to see with his own eyes. But Jesus taught that those who believe without seeing are indeed blessed! Through the Word of God, we are given faith to trust the testimony of the disciples and know that our Lord was raised from the dead. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed! We are now given eyes to see the blessings that the Risen Lord brings into our lives.
April 23 – He is Present The disciples on the road to Emmaus were blinded by a misunderstanding of events that led up to the death of Jesus. They failed to recognize their Lord, even as they walked together. But when Jesus broke bread, they were filled with faith and given eyes to recognize him. Our own preoccupation with life’s events can blind us to the real presence of Jesus in our daily walk, and through the Word and Sacraments, we are shown the real presence of God.
April 30 – The Saving Shepherd Jesus the Good Shepherd has come to save us and provide us with abundant life. But it is so easy to see and focus on the struggles, dangers, and pains in this life. The Risen Lord will return to bring us to our eternal home, but in the meantime, he grants us faith to see the abundant life that we can enjoy today.
May 7 – He is the Way We have the promises of sharing the resurrected life with Christ. And yet, what will it be like, and how do we get there? Jesus teaches us that he is going to prepare a place for us in our Father’s house. Furthermore, he is the way that leads from the cross, through the empty grave, and into a walk with him as we journey through this life with our guide preparing our destination.
May 14 – He Transforms Lives Last week, we talked about the way through this life, the Christian walk that is led by Jesus. This week, Jesus tells his disciples that he must leave them, so that he can send them another Helper. This Helper is the Holy Spirit, who is also sent to us. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see the commands not as rules and restrictions, but as a means to encountering an abundant life – the best life this side of heaven.