When Mary Magdalene realized Jesus was not “gone” but had risen and suddenly realized the one who was close to her was not working  to weed the garden, I’m sure she wanted to hug Him and hold Him close.  She didn’t get to do that though, did she? 

He did give her a task to do.  It wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, but she ran to do as He asked.  She didn’t stand and whine about “but I want to . . . “  I might have been tempted to. 

When the remaining 11 of His apostles finally knew He’d risen and when Thomas placed his hands in the placed where Jesus flesh was torn and thus satisfied himself that this was “for real” how do you think they really felt? 

I would have been excited and then eagerly begun planning the campfire gathering, wine and fish and sitting at my Lord’s feet once again totally enjoying His return to stay.  It didn’t exactly go that way for them, though, did it?  No welcome back party . . . just more confusion. 

They didn’t have His Holy Spirit yet, but we do.  His peace is inside us.  Don’t know about you, but I don’t always focus as I should and thus while that peace in inside me, I don’t always live into it.  I sure didn’t this morning.  I’m going to try to refocus this afternoon. 

Jesus rose from the dead.  He did not leave us alone to stumble about.  What a gift that is!