Reflections on Eastertide

‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

Matthew 28:18

I work at Sunderland Recovery College teaching journaling.  A group of inter-denominational students at the College had asked for a Bible-based journaling course to help them reflect on their faith.  The timing of this request led to the creation of a six-week Journaling in Eastertide course.

Eastertide runs from the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday to His Ascension and, like Lent, lasts 40 days.  I was particularly interested in exploring with the students the many appearances that Jesus made during this period.  Like everybody else we were familiar with many of the stories, such as Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdelene outside the tomb, to meeting Thomas to allay his doubts, to instructing Peter and his fellow disciples to cast their fishing nets on the other side of the boat and so on.  We had not, however, studied these multiple appearances in any detail and even less considered their meaning and significance for us in the 21^st Century.

There is no agreement about how many times Jesus appeared during Eastertide, so I chose seven appearances to focus on during our six weeks of study.  We hope that you will find the reflections below, and in the summary table at the end, interesting.  There is so much that can be said by these appearances, but we have kept this piece short and included biblical references for readers to follow up if they wish.

The reflections are just that, thoughts about Jesus’ appearances during Eastertide.  They should be viewed as a very personal journey through the development of the students’ faith.  One student wrote ‘This course made me more aware of my own faith and other religious beliefs.’  The group was inter-denominational and in sharing their thoughts about Jesus’ appearances students were able to hear other perspectives.  Another student wrote that ‘they had enjoyed finding out about other people’s views on the subject and learning more about Jesus’ story.’

In their feedback one student confirmed that the course had given them ‘deeper insights into some of the things I already knew’, whilst another student commented that ‘the course made me think about my own Catholic religion.  I did learn some interesting facts which I can feed into my own life.’  Another member of the group stated that the course has ‘encouraged me to re-examine my journey in faith.’

The process of journaling the events of Eastertide and attending the College prompted one student to write ‘the interaction in the course is very therapeutic,’ whilst another reported that ‘I particularly get so much from journaling.  It helps me with my anxiety.’  A further student commented that ‘I always feel a sense of calm, contentment and being uplifted when I leave the course each week ... which is attended by a multi-denominational group who all have ‘lived’ experience and ‘get’ each other.’  Students also commented upon how the course is inclusive and non-discriminatory.

I have summarised the seven appearances that we studied during Eastertide in the table at the end of this article.  We began by asking ourselves the question why did Jesus appear so many times during Eastertide?  Our reading of the Bible left us with the following thoughts and, to use an overworn phrase, these are our ‘takeaways’ from our journaling experience:

In appearing to different individuals and groups Jesus:

• Reaffirmed the Resurrection, especially to those, like the disciples who did not believe Mary Magdalene when she shared the Good News, and Thomas who continued to doubt until he had physical proof.

• Retaught the scriptures to those who had not made the connection, especially Cleopas and the other disciple on the road to Emmaus and of course the disciples hidden away in the upper room in Jerusalem - everything that had happened had been foretold so there should have been no surprises.

• Reminded us of the power of forgiveness when Jesus met Peter and forgave him his denial during what has been described as ‘The Restoration’ of Peter to his original status as leader of the disciples and keeper of the keys of the Kingdom.

• Reinvigorated the disciples’ resolve to act as Apostles and go out and proclaim the Good News, reminding them that He would never leave them.

• Reassured the disciples that by trusting in Him their nets would always be full and that He would provide for all their needs.

• Issued the Great Commission for His disciples to continue His work on earth as ‘disciples of all nations.’

  
  

By reading the passages in the New Testament relating to the events of Eastertide and Jesus’ appearances it was clear that 2000 years later the Good News was still as relevant as it had been at the outset. We were able to take great strength from the messages that Jesus conveyed during His last 40 days to His disciples, in particular to trust Him and our nets would always be full, as well as taking reassurance from His promise that he would never leave us.

‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’

Phil 4:13

JESUS’ APPEARANCES DURING EASTERTIDE

Appearance	References	Meaning
Mary Magdelene	John 20:15-18	Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene affirmed the resurrection and challenged the patriarchal norms of the time. Jesus makes a point of appearing to first to someone who has no status in society to remind us that we are all valued as children of God.
Peter	Luke 24:34 Corinthians 15:5 John 21: 15-19	Jesus appeared to a repentant Peter on the day of His Resurrection, according to both St Luke and St Paul, though we do not know what was said between them.  In his later appearance to Peter by the Sea of Galilee Jesus puts Peter through his paces by asking him, three times, if he loves Him. Jesus responds by asking Peter to feed my lambs, tend to my sheep, feed my sheep and finally follow me. This encounter reminds us of the power of forgiveness and sets the scene for ‘The Restoration.’  Here Jesus restores Peter to his original status amongst the disciples and asks him to look after His people (‘Feed my sheep’).
Walk to Emmaus (Cleopas and another unnamed disciple)	Luke 24:13-35	Jesus’ appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus reminds us that Jesus is always with us, even if we don’t recognise Him.  He walks alongside us in our moments of doubt, confusion, and despair, offering hope and illumination.
Thomas	John 20:24-29	Jesus’ appearance to Thomas reminds us that not all come to Christ immediately, but He accepts all including the latecomers.  Thomas was embarrassed and proclaimed ‘My Lord and my God’ upon seeing the risen Lord, affirming the Resurrection.
The disciples in Jerusalem	Luke 24:36-49	Jesus appears to a troubled and fearful gathering of the disciples in a locked room in Jerusalem.  His appearance reaffirms the resurrection and gives them strength to go out and spread the word. His appearance also gives us the reassurance that He is always with us too (‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5).
Some of the disciples at the Sea of Galilee	John 21:1-14	Jesus’ appearance demonstrates His continued guidance and provision for His followers, as He directs them where to fish to fill their empty nets.  This reminds us that Jesus will always provide.
All the disciples on Mount Olivet	Matthew 28:18-20	This is where Jesus issues his Great Commission to His disciples.  ‘Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to ME.  19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’  This too is our Commission.