REFLECTIONS LECTIONS

Easter by Maressa Mortimer

John 20:9

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I’m plotting a historical novel and looking at the records and stories of two hundred years ago, it can be hard to imagine that people didn’t see what was right in front of them. The same is true for the Easter account. Didn’t they understand the warnings Jesus had given them? Didn’t they remember how Jesus told them along the way what would happen to Him?

plotting new arrangements? New identities, planning how to blend in and pretend the last three years had never happened? Did they think about all the things Jesus had said about His death, and how He would rise again to life?

When they were told about the empty grave, only a few of Jesus’ followers went to have a look. What were the rest doing? And when Jesus appeared to them in the evening, and they were told how He had explained everything before He died, well, you can feel their embarrassment. At least I feel I can. Of course, I would also have an excuse for why I had been so afraid the last few days, but did any of them protest about their reaction?

It can be hard to read a familiar account with fresh eyes, but just as I am doing with the prison records of two hundred years ago, imagine yourself there. Some accounts are thrilling, like the young woman sentenced to seven years in Australia, who managed to break through the prison wall, escape, then get caught and sent to Australia for life... what did she do in the time when running around England, trying to stay ahead of the people hunting for her?

The Easter account might be familiar to you, but I invite you this year to look at it again. The way their friend and teacher was arrested, badly beaten, died on that cross, and there was nothing they could do. Betrayed by one of their own, and Peter, the one quick to jump in was also the one who denied even knowing Jesus.

Huddled together in fear, thinking the last three years had suddenly come crashing down. Were they

Their relief must have been immense. For a few days, they had thought everything was lost and gone, and suddenly, all is well again. It didn’t go back to how it was. Their lives were changed forever, and as I don’t like change, I wonder how hard that must have been. Simply wanting things to go back to how they were. Wanting to be left alone. Some answers won’t be found, and they might not matter. I hope you will have a wonderful Easter time this year, and that you will see Jesus, and experience His risen power this month when we see nature coming back to life as well. May your days be filled with fresh power and life.

Maressa Mortimer is Dutch but lives in the beautiful Cotswolds, England with her husband and four (adopted) children. She is a homeschool mum and a pastor’s wife,. She loves writing Christian fiction, as s a great way to explore faith in daily life. Her books are available from her website, www.vicarioushome.com, Amazon or local bookshops.