EXPECTED EXCHANGES

Thursday: April 16, 2020

Reference: Luke 24:35-48

Luke 24:41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

We attribute specific things to some people only and their arrival in any space suggests ‘that thing’ is likely to have arrived also. For some, it is physical items like extra snacks or even a pack of gum. But for others, it is an emotional dimension such as humour, tension or positivity. In the latter however, something has to be thrown out the door. There has to be a replacing or exchange.

Let’s do a minute catch up about some excerpts from the life of Jesus and end with today’s Gospel. At the wedding of Cana, water became wine and for the blind men he cured, their darkness turned to light. At his tomb, Mary’s tears turned to joy, on the road to Emmaus, doubt and confusion became clear conviction. Today in the midst of the disciples, their sheer fright and panic is replaced with immense joy and amazement. Wondering why the long list?

It is to bring our attention to a norm: that wherever Jesus was present, there was an exchange. Even on the cross, it was his beautiful exchange that replaced our life with His. Isaiah 61:3 presents multiple exchanges: beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, garment of praise for a cloak of heaviness. To extend this further, mediocrity for excellence and weaknesses for strength.

This list can be expanded and you can add to it as you so desire. While such exchanges may not have been a normal expectation, things have changed. The impact is certain, when Jesus walks into your life, everything that is not right is replaceable. That is an outcome you can expect.

JESUS does not just take away, He replaces.

#sly