Matthew 28:9-15a (NRSV)
Read Matthew 28:9-15a on biblegateway.com
Verse 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Verse 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Verse 11While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. Verse 12After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, Verse 13telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' Verse 14If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." Verse 15So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.
Devotion
9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Some long to touch the hem of his garment, others his feet. Others connect with him in prayerful service to the people on the margins of society.
Hidden in the texts for Easter Monday are the stories of Jesus’ Easter visits and the attempted cover-up by the chief priests. This brings us back to the early days of the church, when lies were spread to weaken the message. The money Judas received to betray Jesus had not succeeded in silencing God.
I often find contentment in reading the story of Jesus’ resurrection appearances, but there’s a deep longing to see him myself, to kneel in wonderful awe, to see the marks on his feet and be filled overflowing with gratitude.
Prayer
Lord, in our humble service, fill us with your Spirit, the Spirit of the resurrected Christ and help us be stewards of the mystery of his living presence. Amen.