Saturday of Easter Week

The Lord is risen indeed. – Luke 24:34.

When the disciples, who walked to Emmaus, had recognized the Risen One, they rose up that same hour, and returned to Jerusalem with haste, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them. And, immediately, they were met with the cry: “The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon!” And they told, those assembled there, what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:33-35), But even so, they did not all believe that the Lord had actually risen. And while they spoke, and the doors being shut for fear of the Jews, lo, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them and said: “Peace be unto you!” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19). But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said to them: “Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have” (Luke 24:37-39). And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His hands and His feet with the prints of His wounds. And while they yet believed not for joy and wondered, He said to them: “Have ye here any meat?” And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb. And He took it and ate before them (vv. 40-43).

Then, finally, were the disciples glad. Now they all knew that He had risen indeed. Such knowledge is peace. For since Christ is risen, we know that He is the Savior indeed, and that He has truly saved us, so that now we are, by faith, the children of God, reconciled through Him, and heirs of eternal life. Such knowledge is peace. Do you possess this knowledge, this peace, this great comfort?

PRAYER. – O Jesus, grant to me, too, at all times, through Thy Word, and the Holy Ghost, working through Thy Word, the living knowledge that Thou art the true and risen Savior, to the end, that I may continue to take comfort in Thee, and continue to firmly believe that, through Thee, I have been redeemed and am a child of God and an heir of eternal life. Continue to give me Thy peace, O Jesus! Amen.

“Christ, the Lord, is ris’n today;”

sons of men and angels say.

Raise your joys and triumphs high;

sing, ye heav’ns, and, earth, reply.

—

Love’s redeeming work is done;

fought the fight, the battle won.

Lo, our Sun’s eclipse is o’er;

lo, He sets in blood no more.

—

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven;

praise to Thee by both be given!

Thee we greet triumphant now;

hail, the Resurrection Thou!

       (Hymn 193, st. 1, 2, and 6; TLH)