Beloved in the Lord,
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!
Tomorrow morning we will be two Sundays removed from Resurrection Sunday morning. Yet, the truth of the resurrection hasn’t faded. Christ is still risen. The tomb is still empty. But, if we’re honest, there are days, tough days – even on this side of Easter – when our faith doesn’t feel like it matches the victory of that morning.
Some days, it feels like we should be stronger than we actually are. Maybe we think back to ourselves, “If Christ is risen, why am I still struggling? Why isn’t my faith enough” Maybe it’s doubts that creep in when life doesn’t go as planned. Maybe it’s the burden of anxiety or grief. Maybe it’s that we’re just tired. Maybe we’re just tired of fighting, tired of pretending we have it all together, tired of trying to muster up a faith that doesn’t feel like enough. Maybe, in the quiet of the moment, the weariness of this world just feels like it’s weighing down on us.
If that’s where you are, then, the truth is, you’re in good company.
One of the most striking scenes after the resurrection is found in Luke 24, on the road to Emmaus. You probably know the story. There are these two disciples and they’re walking away from Jerusalem, away from the cross, away from the empty tomb. After everything that’s happened, I tend to picture them with their heads down, hearts heavy, and faith barely flickering. They had hoped Jesus was the Messiah, the One who would redeem Israel, but all their hope seems to have died with Him on that cross on Friday.
And what does Jesus do?
He doesn’t scold them. He doesn’t tell them to “just believe harder.” He comes alongside them. He walks with them even in their confusion. He speaks, He listens, and then what does He do? He opens up the Scriptures. “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Lk 24:27)
He draws near to them, not when their faith is strong, but when it’s weak. He reveals Himself not because they somehow, someway, figured everything out. Why? Because He’s gracious. Their eyes are opened not by their effort, it’s not opened by their faith. They are opened by His presence.
That’s the kind of Savior we have.
A Savior who doesn’t wait for us to come to Him. He comes to us in our weakness. He is a Savior who doesn’t shame our doubts but meets us in them. A Savior who still breaks bread with weary sinners and speaks peace into fearful hearts. It isn’t about the strength of our faith. It is about the strength of our Savior.
This is the heart of Easter: not that we have perfect faith, but that we have a perfect Savior.
Remember what Thomas said in the Upper Room: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (Jn. 20:25) And even in Thomas’ doubt, Jesus came, scars and all. He didn’t abandon His disciple. He met him in his need. “Do not disbelieve but believe.” (Jn. 20:27) Even then, Jesus didn’t tell Thomas to stay in his doubt. No. He called him forward into faith by showing Himself.
That’s what He still does for us. He does it for me and He does it for you.
Yes, you may feel weak. But the strength of your salvation is not your faith. It is Christ. Even a flickering flame is still fire. Even the smallest seed of faith is still faith. As Isaiah says, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench.” (Is. 42:3)
So take heart. Faith isn’t about pretending to be strong. It’s about trusting our Savior who is. It’s about clinging to Jesus, even with trembling hands. It’s about returning, again and again, to His Word and His promises. It’s about knowing that when you feel like you’re barely hanging on, He is already holding you.
This Easter season, whether you are rejoicing or limping, remember this: Christ is not only risen – He is risen for you. And He is with you, even now.
Now may the peace of the Lord that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus even unto life everlasting.
In Him,
Pastor Wyatt
