Let us turn our lives to new beginnings

By Lt. Colonel N.J. Karunakara Rao

During Easter we remember loved ones who have passed away. My family and I visit the graves of my father and mother and I reflect on their love for me. How they cared, how they wanted me to know the Lord, to "love and serve Him."

Many fond memories linger around me and I am filled with gratitude to God for such loving parents. I know they are with the Lord.

On this Easter Sunday we can reflect on the longing of women and the disciples to go to the tomb of Jesus. The gospel account tells us that women went early in the morning to the tomb and found it empty.

There are in the Scriptures, two decisive historical facts about the the resurrection. One is the empty tomb and the other is the appearance of Jesus to the disciples. The empty tomb did not create in the disciples a proof of the resurrection but acted as a sign to make them reflect on the earlier teachings of Jesus regarding the resurrection thereby making them believe that Jesus had risen.

"Jesus arose and appeared to Peter and then to the Twelve..... And after that appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers." Even in the first Corinthians Paul explained the one who died and was buried was the one who arose. There was doubt even among the disciples, but the doubts were cast away as Jesus appeared and showed them His wounds and asked them to touch Him. These appearances of Jesus assured the disciples that Jesus was the Saviour of the world. He appeared to Paul and many others throughout the ages increasing their faith in times of frustration, fear and doubt.

Thomas doubted the appearance of Jesus and said he would like to see the scars, touch them and put his hand on Jesus' wounds.

We sometimes become so doubtful that we need concrete proof to believe. Even to the doubtful, Jesus appears to clear the doubts. He wants us to believe.

Peter was miserable. He cursed himself for denying the Lord thrice. When Jesus specifically appeared to him, he was so empowered with the Holy Spirit that he was no more a coward but preached the Risen Christ, with such power and courage that three thousand people embraced Christ. "You...put Him to death by nailing Him to the Cross. But God raised Him from the dead..."

Like Peter we may have denied our Lord many a time and felt we were worthless. May Jesus appear to meet our specific needs and may He anoint us for His purpose and mission.

We may be feeling anxious for the future. We may be shattered because of the loss of a loved one. We may be wondering and confused like the two persons walking on Emmaus Road. But be assured, Jesus is alive and He is ready to walk with us revealing the scriptures and opening our eyes to see new horizons.

Jesus who is alive, will appear as He appeared to Peter and his friends after their toiling all night without any fish.

The resurrection of Jesus made Christianity a living and personal religion.

The risen Christ is the nucleus of the Christian faith. A door was opened for us to an absolute future and eternal life. May this Easter create new eyes of faith and turn our lives to new beginnings.

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