You never know what’s round the corner”,
not a quote from the bible just a statement which we know is true.
That was the experience of everyone living through the first Easter – from the Pharisees who hoped their troubles were over as Jesus’ body was buried – to the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb, never expecting they would still be talked about 2,000 years after their own deaths – to the disciples who moved from devastation to confusion then to delight in the space of a few days.
But Jesus’ resurrection was not the end of the disciples’ problems. Not everything became straight forward and easy for them. Life remained as unpredictable and at times risky, perhaps even more dangerous than it had been before.
What changes at the resurrection for the disciples is their confidence in Jesus – not the miracle working parts – but the sense of realising that they had been in the presence of someone so special. And therefore that what he had been teaching was not just a good idea but THE way to live – the life of love and forgiveness, for them and for everyone.
And so they followed in Jesus’ footsteps – trusting when things were difficult – getting things wrong (read the Book of Acts to see how) and somehow coping when life was hellish.
I don’t know what lies around the corner for me, or you or for the world? But, I do know I would rather face whatever it is in the company of the risen Christ and follow in his footsteps which is, of course, Jesus’ invitation is to us all.
Yours Peter
