The disciples who had seen Jesus on the road to Emmaus were telling the others of how they had recognized him in the breaking of bread. While they were speaking, Jesus himself appeared and stood in their midst. They were frightened, but he said to them, "Look at my hands and feet. Touch me. It is really I."
Then he said to them, "Recall the words I spoke to you when I was still with you. Everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms had to be fulfilled."
Then he opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures. He then said to them, "Thus it is likewise written that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. In his name repentance and the forgiveness of sins is to be preached to all the nations."Luke 24: 35-48
The good news that Jesus left with his disciples to proclaim to the whole world is that by his death and resurrection our sins are forgiven.
This was the reason for his coming into the world, why he died a horrific death on the cross, and why he was raised from the dead. It was to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves - to overcome our sins and reconcile us with God. It was to show how far God is willing to go for love.
We cannot know any of this by ourselves. Search the heavens. Probe the depths of all things. With our human understanding we may find traces of God in creation, but we cannot know the breadth and depth of God's love.
But God created man for nothing but love, and he would have him know it. So he revealed it. Throughout the ages he sent his Spirit to touch the hearts of holy men and women with the word of his love. But the world would not hear the word, so finally he sent his Son to show the world once and for all the depth of his love.
He revealed by his death and resurrection that nothing can separate us from the love of God - not even our own sins. No matter how grievous our sins, no matter how often we have sinned, no matter what sins we are yet to commit, we are forgiven. We are never without hope. We need only turn to God with a repentant heart, and he will fill us with his love. We need only desire to be made whole, and he will heal us of the wounds of sin and make of us a new creation.
It was not enough that Jesus died for us. He was raised from the dead that we might know that God's love is for eternity. We too will be raised from the dead. We will leave behind the burdens of this earthly life and live eternally with God in the kingdom of heaven. This is the hope enkindled and kept alive in our hearts by the Spirit of God, who dwells with us even now and until the day of our salvation.
Lord Jesus, we rejoice in your resurrection which seals for us the promise of eternal life. By the power of your Holy Spirit turn us from sin and renew us with your love. May we remain faithful to you, and by our sanctified life may we bear witness to all the world of the joy and hope of the resurrection.