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“Early Sunday, the women came to the tomb. They walked in. But couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus.

Then two men, like angels, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down. The men said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise?”

They left the tomb and broke the good news to the disciples and those gathered. But they did not believe. However, Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He looked in and only saw a few grave clothes.

Later in the day, two of them were walking to the village Emmaus. They were going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their conversation, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they did not recognize him.

He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and men. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. We thought he was the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body.

Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter his eternal glory?”

They came to the edge of the village and invited Jesus: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, they recognized him and then he disappeared.

Immediately, they went back to Jerusalem and shared with the disciples: The Master has been raised up — Simon saw him!” (Adapted from MSG)

As we still remember and reflect on Easter 2023, may we recognize and share our Savior!

Yvette Perrin can be reached at theword2yvette@ gmail.com.