April 16        Easter           John 20:1-18 and Matthew 25:34-40     “Jesus Incognito?”   (Jeff Moore, preaching)

Mary goes to the garden to see Jesus.  When she encounters the risen Christ she doesn’t recognize him until he calls her by name and she recognizes him as teacher.  What will make for our Easter encounter?  How can we see Jesus in the world?  Do we truly desire to see him and to serve him?  Is Jesus present to us, just as he was to Mary, only, seemingly, “incognito”?  Jesus’ story in Matthew 25 tells us precisely how to see him and where to find him: in the “least of these” – the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, the naked, and the imprisoned.  Imagine.  We can have Mary’s experience each time we open ourselves in service to those in need.  Jesus is there.  He said so.  I believe him.  After all, he’s my teacher.