3 Easter - 18 Luke 24:36b-48

The disciples never answered the question.

Now it comes to us.

Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

Maybe fear has become so familiar that the answer feels too obvious to bother saying, but I hear different answers.

Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

Church attendance is shrinking and getting older, and so am I.

The other political party, whichever one I disagree with, is destroying our country...and dividing my family.

Life is complicated and overwhelming.

Too many people are not getting vaccinated, or too many people are.

My kids are black.

My parents are undocumented.

My spouse, my grandma, my reliable rock has died and now I am lost.

The business didn't make it; the money is almost gone.

The doctor didn't want to say it.

Fill in your own answers: Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

This week, kind, compassionate, caring, good shepherd Jesus doesn't bother to stop and listen to his disciples' answers.

He keeps talking, apparently even with his mouth full.

Touch me, feed me, listen up.

Scripture says this and this and this.

You are witnesses of these things.

Wait, what?

What things?

Jesus has raced ahead to verse 49 while most of us are still stuck on verse 38.

That's the life of faith, and church history, in a nutshell.

For some reason, fear feels more real and reliable than joy.

Grief is more tangible and trustable than hope.