Where Did Jesus Go?

by Rev. Eric Folkerth

Our theme during the post-Easter season is: “Where Did Jesus Go?”

The Gospel lesson scriptures through Pentecost will be post-resurrection stories but taken from all four Gospels. The reason for this is: I believe the “where” Jesus went, post-resurrection, has a lot to say about who we are called to be as the Church.

Far too often, during these weeks after Easter, we seem to jump right into Pentecost (the coming of the Spirit…).

But maybe these stories have something to teach us.

“Where Did Jesus Go?” has multiple meanings…

Where did Jesus' “body” go?
(Hint: it’s both anormal, and not-so-normal body…)

And where did Jesus “show up?”
And by extension, where did he encourage others to go?
(Hint: Around a table…on a walk…by the lakeshore…to the ends of the earth…)

And finally, where does Jesus “go” in our hearts?
Are we filled with doubts or able to trust?
Do we feel him present or absent?
Or both?

These are our questions during the post-Easter period.

I’ll give you a part of the “punch line” now. It’s from a Maundy Thursday essay by Dr. Diana Butler Bass. And while she was mostly writing about that day, her words are really about this coming season:

“…when the disciples want to meet Jesus again the next week, they return again to the upper room to meet him at the table.
They never return to the cross. Jesus never takes them back to the site of the execution. He never gathers his followers at Calvary, never points to the blood-stained hill, and never instructs them to meet him there. He never valorizes the events of Friday. He never mentions them…Instead, almost all the post-resurrection appearances — which are joyful and celebratory and conversational — take place at the upper room table or at other tables and meals.”

I think she’s on to something. 
There is a lot of discussion about Jesus’ crucifixion *before* it happens. But *after* it happens, almost none. 

Upon being resurrected, Jesus seems no longer interested in “the cross” but in the “community;” which is exactly what he was concerned about at beginning of his ministry. Humanity tries to crucify God, and God “rejects our rejection” of God and continues to model what truly holy community looks like. Jesus seems deeply eager that those who will still be on this earth understand that the work and ministry continues. It continues around tables, along the road, in worship, and in service…to the whole world.

So, join us during April/May for our continuing celebration of Easter and of the resurrected Jesus, and all that he has to teach us.

See you Sunday.

Eric Folkerth