Reflections on the Third Sunday of Easter, April 22nd, 2012: “I AM Among Them; I AM Among YOU!”

It is humbling to consider just how quickly and how easily we poor fragile human beings can become frightened, terrified, and completely out of sorts before one can say, “boo!” Not too long ago I developed a slight medical issue and I was afraid. As the pain and discomfort increased, I was a great wimp and started to imagine the possibility of my demise! But there are actually many reasons for us to become frightened as we consider the day and age in which we live. There is an ever-flowing stream of media reports on the most violent and sickening crimes constantly taking place in our country. Our moral compass as a nation seems to be pointing directly towards hell. And in many cases, it is a terrifying state of affairs. My family lived in The Woodlands, TX from 2002 through 2010. Recently, someone approached a women holding her infant baby right outside The Woodlands. The criminal grabbed the baby away from its mother, shot the mother (who eventually died trying to save her baby), and drove off with the baby. This is sickening…this is terrifying.

When the first disciples first saw Jesus risen from the dead, the word says that they were terrified (Luke 24:37), or “startled and frightened” because they thought they were seeing a ghost! This same reaction is used to describe their reaction when they saw Christ walking on water (Mt 14:26 & Mk 6:49), and Jesus warned them not to panic this way when they would hear about signs and warnings of the end (Lk 21:9). That is to say, there are many things in this world that may cause us to be terrified and upset. Ever since sin and death came into the world — and again — it doesn’t take much to rattle us!

However, Christ came “among them” (v 36) — those first terrified disciples — not to terrify, but to help them! Jesus was quite specific in what He did to eliminate their fear; quite exacting when it came to instilling comfort. In fact, what He gave was believing joy (v 41)! He showed His disciples His hands and His feet (vss 39-40), because it was through these that Christ testified to that which flowed from those holy wounds to save them! But to be alive while doing it, meant that He was truly the Lord of Life and in fact, the Great I AM!

As you know “I AM” is the Name of God as revealed in Exodus 3 and Exodus 6. When Christ appeared here in Luke 24, He actually said, “I AM myself” or “I AM He”…the Great “I AM” was in their midst. Not to overwhelm, not to terrify, but to bless. God had come to bless His people; to comfort His people; and to teach them that His victory was now being shared with His disciples.

Sometimes we are tempted to envy these first-century apostles: “Oh, they received such glorious signs!” But dear Christian, you continue to receive the God-appointed, Word-confirmed signs for your faith as well. You have offered to you the blood of Christ which flowed from those holy hands and feet when you gather for the Holy Supper! You continue to receive The Lord’s Supper which is the fruit of those Holy Wounds of Jesus poured out for the forgiveness of sins; and you get the fruit of Christ’s victory: the creation of His HOLY CHURCH in which the members of Christ love each other and comfort one another. “I AM” continues to show Himself to comfort you!

Of these 21st century signs we have great witnesses who have spoken about their great value:

Ignatius wrote in his epistle to the Ephesians (ANF, volume 1, 57): in reference to Holy Communion: “the medicine of immortality, and the antidote which prevents us from dying, but a cleansing remedy driving away evil, [which causes] that we should live in God through Jesus Christ.”

C.S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory: “Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbour, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ…the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself, is truly hidden (19).”

The signs appointed are still for His people to assure us that “I AM” is in our midst…perfect love has driven away fear. We too may live in believing joy!

In Christ,

Dr. Espinosa

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