“God is not proud…He will have us even though we have shown that we prefer everything else to Him.” ~ CS Lewis
Easter is here. Are you ready to… barbecue?
This year, I am drawn to the events that happened right after Jesus came back from the dead. I’ve known the Easter story well enough to shake my head and sigh. “Those kooky disciples! Didn’t they know all this was going to happen? Some people!”
But, the more Easters I celebrate — the more I’m aware of how I’m just like them.
Locked Doors
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together,
with the doors locked for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ~John 20:19
The disciples had already heard that Jesus was alive from Mary Magdalene, the first to see Him resurrected. But, here they were behind locked doors.
Lord, thank you for coming through those locked doors.
Here I am, today, hiding behind the locked doors of my heart.
Come through to me. Let me hear You say, “Peace”.
One Left
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and
Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked,
Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ~ John 20:26
Jesus already came in once through closed doors in the flesh already, but one of them missed the big reveal the first time.
Lord Jesus, I’m relieved to see that doubt doesn’t put you off. It draws you nearer.
Give me more faith to trust that the joy you have for me is real.
Keep coming back for me. Even if I’m the only one left.
The First Easter BBQ
The next time we see the disciples, some of them ventured outside (note: just seven went fishing, including Thomas!).
So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. John 21:9-13
I would just die discovering the person I doubted would come back to make breakfast for me. And catch me in the act of returning back to my old life. I don’t think I could even look him in the eye, you know?
As I read the passage for Easter, I saw myself in this story. I feel in some areas, I’ve disappointed Jesus.
I feel like Jesus had high hopes for me, taught and shown me so much. And yet, I haven’t launched out, returning to my safe routines.
I felt a lump in my throat pondering this. It was Jesus touching my heart and saying, “Come and have breakfast.” I look up and see him smiling — still sitting here with me. He’s never left.
You know the old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Well, this keeping record of wrongs unbelievably does not apply to the Lord God of the universe and beyond.
My mind just can’t compute this.
So, I bow my head, bend my knee, and surrender to His love.
There is no logic, other than He loves me. And I love Him.
Happy Easter!
What is Jesus saying to you this Easter?
[ To read another post about this barbecue with the disciples, read Power Breakfast With Jesus. ] [ This is an original post to Faith Barista, where Christian writer Bonnie Gray serves up shots of faith for everyday life. ]
27 Comments
Happy Easter!!!
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..March Newsletter =-.
Love this!
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Happy Easter! =-.
Great post, Bonnie.
Happy Easter.
Jesus is telling me this Easter that it’s not good enough to talk about the gospel with words but that we need to live it too!
.-= Peter P´s last blog ..The Hole in Our Gospel by Rich Stearns – Book Review =-.
Because He lives, we can live!
Happy Easter Bonnie!
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Link Love Sunday vol. 1, issue 5 =-.
Happy Easter Bonnie! Great post. I’ve never really looked at this part of the story before.
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..Under the Surface =-.
Blessings this Easter Sunday.
.-= Maureen (Mo)´s last blog ..Van der Weyden’s "Descent from the Cross" =-.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by TheBonnieGray: New Post — The First Easter BBQ http://bit.ly/bGvMEZ Wish I Was There……
@Maureen: Hach Semeach! Happy Easter to you, too! Shine Int’l is amazing!
@Debbie: Thanks, Debbie! Happy Easter to you!
@Peter: It’s where the rubber meets the road — So happy to see you today!
@Kevin: He lives – Amen!
@Melissa: It’s a startling passage. Happy Easter!
@Mo: Enjoyed your wonderful post celebrating Christ through art! Blessings!
Such wonderful insight Bonnie–I love this! I’ve been thinking about the disciples and their struggles to wrap their heads around the truth too. I guess we have to be a little patient with them–many of us have grown up with the belief that Jesus rose from the dead, but when it happened no one had ever heard or seen such a thing!! I love the ways He “showed up” for them–it opens my eyes to the ways He shows up for me in moments when I think all is lost. Happy Easter!!
.-= Shaunie Friday´s last blog ..To Emmaus and Back Again =-.
*grin* yeah… pretty much that. wow. great post. thank you for sharing…
*grin* back.
Happy Easter, Bonnie! Thanks for hopping on over to my blog today.
Always nice to see your smiling face.
Have a great day!
J.
You, too!
He is such a patient teacher! If they were my kids, I would have wanted to shake them! He cooked them breakfast! Oh, how I need to be more like Him!
Lovely post!
SO patient, I really do need faith to believe it!
Bonnie-THis is one of my favorite post-Easter stories… that and the Road to Emmaus.
I think the disciples were hiding for political reasons. They clearly did not understand the whole point of Jesus purpose until well after he had risen from the dead. We are thick-headed, and sometimes God’s purpose has to unravel for us over time.
Blessings to you this Easter, and now, Post-Easter week!
Yes, the road to Emmaus is one of my favorites, too!
I’m excited for this post-Easter week — what a start, don’t you think?!
Thank you for this. I never thought of that story in that way before… that they had returned to their old way of life. I definitely see myself in Thomas and find much comfort in Jesus’s deliberate seeking of him… and all of them.
Thanks for your comments on my post last week — you really encouraged me. Some people closest to me completely missed the point, which was a big downer.
Unfortunately, that does happen. Sometimes, they’re so close, they can’t see the new us speaking out and being formed. It’s good you still shared. It keeps you close to them. And they may, later, understand as the dots connect for them.
Wow, what a wonderful new way to look at this part of the Easter story! Yes, I too stopped short of judging the disciples when I realized I’m too often like them…..doubting, hiding behind my fears of the unknown, not trusting….etc. God is currently swinging wide open the “locked” doors of my heart and allowing fresh breezes to enter. Out with the old (feelings, isecurities, fears) and in with the new (security, courage, bravery–all in Him)!
It’s high time we started ignoring our feelings and doing things DESPITE our fears! Time to step out beyond our comfort zones and walk-even stumble at first-alongside the ONE who is beside us all along. 🙂
I’m game…..anyone else?
~Amy
Exactly — Me! I’ve tried living the other way and I didn’t like it!
Great post Bonnie! I’m going to have to go back and revisit those verses. Thank you for the excellent food for thought.
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Searching for Community =-.
Bonnie,
I just found your blog and I LOVE IT. I look forward to exploring it more and reading your future posts. I love the fact that in this post you shared your Easter meditation with us. I was particularly touched by these words: “As I read the passage for Easter, I saw myself in this story. I feel in some areas, I’ve disappointed Jesus. I feel like Jesus had high hopes for me, taught and shown me so much. And yet, I haven’t launched out, returning to my safe routines.
I felt a lump in my throat pondering this. It was Jesus touching my heart and saying, “Come and have breakfast.” I look up and see him smiling — still sitting here with me. He’s never left.
Putting ourselves in the gospel scene–as you did– is a great way to pray.
Keep up the great work!
Peace!
Thanks, Fr. Michael! I just visited your blog and loved your post on the difference between mindfulness and living God’s presence.
“Mindfulness is good, but I believe that in our hearts we desire more than just peace and calm; we desire to be loved”
[…] of the Easter we celebrated yesterday, our joy is no longer under the curse of mistakes or our […]
Great post!
It is so easy for us to think we’re better than the other guy, when we are usually at least as bad, if not worse (in my case, anyway)!
It’s also humbling to think about how easy it is to forget all about Jesus in the daily hustle-bustle, even on his resurrection day! I am so distractible in the areas that really count…
It is humbling… thankfully, we have Easter, starting over every day.