Read Luke 24:36-48 with your family.

This is about as close to an “I told you so” as Jesus got with his followers. He tried to tell them along the way, three times in fact, but they just could not hear it. Really, it is no surprise. Hearing your friend is going to be beaten and killed in the most painful way possible, is not something that any of us want to hear.

And when the disciples were listening to what Jesus said, they were focused on the horror of his death, not what came afterwards.

This meeting was a chance for them to see that Jesus really was back from the dead, and not just a ghost. He ate with them and he let them touch him. It was important that they were paying attention, because this was the last time Jesus would be able to teach them directly.

Jesus returned from the dead to show us death is not the worst thing that could happen, and that there is so much more to life after someone we love dies.

Jesus also reminded them that now it was time for them to get to work. This was not a movement Jesus was going to lead in person anymore. Encouraging people to ask for forgiveness and choosing a new life was now the responsibility of the disciples.

The work was not finished with Jesus’ death and resurrection. In truth, it had only begun for his followers, just like it is our job to keep reminding people of Jesus love and how we can change the world.