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SURPRISE

There are a few ways to recall fond memories of someone.

  • A photo can take you back.
  • A smell or location.
  • A saved voicemail.

When you have fond memories of a spouse, a family member, or a close friend, this kind of recall can bring joy. However, nothing brings more joy than the surprise reunion of two folks. When you no longer have to rely on memory, location, or sound to remember them, but instead when you get them in the flesh.

This is often the potency of a surprise birthday party, a soldier surprising his son when returning from a tour, or a loved one simply showing up.

Something similar is happening in Luke 24.

LUKE 24:40-41

Jesus has just appeared to two disciples.

Now he is appearing to the eleven disciples in a room.

He offers them peace, but his presence takes them aback just a bit.

Then Luke 24:40-41 says, "40 [Jesus] showed them his hands and feet. 41 [they were filled with] joy and amazement..."

Jesus shows up as an unexpected family member, and it changes the timber of the room.

JOY IN OUR HOMES

This is one of the reasons why we find Christian practices like worship, prayer, scripture reading, etc. to be so important - it creates room and space for Jesus to surprise and unexpectedly show up. When he does:

It fills our living rooms with joy.

It fills our kitchens with joy.

It fills our workplaces with joy.

When our world is reawakened to the absolute wonder of resurrection (and all its implications) - it brings freshness, new life, and joy to every aspect of our world.

Resurrection.

It's a joy and wonder thing.