Reconnecting with Jesus

"But go, tell his disciples and Peter

that he is going ahead of you to Galilee;

there you will see him, just as he told you.”

(from Mark 16:1-8)

Last week I reconnected with two former youth group members via social media.

One, teaching in an English school, lives in Dubai with two teen-age daughters. 

Knowing his life journey and how far he has come, I’d describe it as going from a “tomb” to an Easter life of new beginnings.

The other moved from the “tomb” of rural life to Easter city life with new beginnings including job hunting, commuting, and learning a transportation system with trains and busses.

I’m certain if we were to reconnect face to face, we’d have a great celebration.

When Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome came to anoint Jesus, found the stone rolled back, and a young man in a white robe, they were amazed and afraid. 

The young man told them to tell Peter and the disciples to go to Galilee where they will see him.

Through the young man, Jesus makes a trustworthy promise: they will reconnect in Galilee.

The people in 70 AD had seen Jerusalem destroyed, smoke rising from the ruined temple, and their people dispersed.

Jesus’ trustworthy promise was anxiously needed. 

Reconnecting with Jesus in Galilee would involve driving out tormenting demons, hearing words of hope spoken to the broken-hearted, and healing the distressed. 

For us in 2024, we have seen an insurrection, smoke rising from wars, a border crisis with immigrants suffering, and barriers separating people.

Jesus’ trustworthy promise is urgently needed.

Reconnecting with Jesus in Galilee is gathering around the Lord’s Table recalling the great mystery of faith, Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Easter Sunday is for scattered and imperfect Christians to hear the hope in Jesus’ promise to reconnect in Galilee.