GHOST STORIES

Today's Bible story is a ghost story. It tells about Jesus appearing after his resurrection and describes his disciples’ terror. They thought they were seeing a ghost, not a man in the flesh. These very same disciples had walked, talked, slept, eaten and worked with and above all had been personally taught by the Messiah. They were his intimate companions during his public ministry and had witnessed his great and miraculous deeds. Yet when confronted with his conquest of death, they responded by believing him a ghost rather than the resurrected Son of God the Father.

Perceiving the marks left on his body from the crucifixion, the Gospel tells us that they began to understand that it was Jesus among them and felt joy at his presence. Yet they still “disbelieved” in the bodily resurrection. Jesus asked for something to eat and in the mundane act of swallowing a piece of fish finally convinced them that he had returned, body and soul.

Why is it easier for us to believe in ghosts than to believe in the concrete reality of the resurrection? Why is it so hard to have faith in the truth of God’s promise to us that our destiny is life, not death? It can't just be a lack of sufficient evidence. The disciples had abundant evidence of Jesus’ divine nature. Yet, seeing that his wounds had healed and that he was unmistakably alive, they believed him dead, or at least half dead. Why is this so?

It may be that, if we believe in Jesus’ resurrection – the complete, concrete, physical, flesh and blood resurrection of this man who was also God – then this belief requires us to take action. This belief completely transforms our perception of ourselves, our world, our purpose and our God. How much easier it is to believe in ghosts – those silly, paltry things – than to grasp the bright eternal hand of God extended to us in Jesus and to follow where he leads us? And yet, Jesus begins this encounter with his flawed and frightened disciples – and initiates his encounters with us – with a proclamation and a promise on his lips. He steps among his disciples and says, “Peace be with you.” No ghost ever brought or proclaimed peace, yet this is both the promise and challenge that we encounter when we truly believe in the message of our risen Lord.

— Ursula Wilder

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist