Jesus said, "told ya!"

I don’t know about you but I have often had dreams of deceased loved ones. In my dreams we spend
time together doing the things we loved to do. I’ve dreamed of sitting at my grandmother’s kitchen table playing cards with her and talking. I’ve dreamed of working on a project with my father. I’ve dreamed of fishing with my younger brother. Yet, when I wake, sadly, I realize it was just a dream and nothing more.

In today’s Gospel the disciples that jogged back from Emmaus are telling their brothers about all that had happened. In the midst of this story, Jesus appears out of nowhere. Surely the two disciples were struggling to tell their story while also trying to catch their breath after their seven mile run. Yet, here is Jesus. They and the others must have thought that they were dreaming or, as Jesus says reading their hearts, “touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones.“

Scripture tells us that the disciples were “startled and terrified”. I’d say that’s an understatement. If one of my deceased loved ones appeared before me right this instant I would at the very least – freak out! If I saw them, I’d think I was dreaming, or seeing a ghost, or actively dying myself and the veil between this life and next was being lifted.

Jesus, aware that this would be a natural reaction to His appearance, offers a simple proof that it is really He, “Have you anything here to eat?” He eats the fish with them and the reality starts to set in for His shocked disciples.

I can almost hear Jesus laughing here saying, “told ya!” He reminds them and us of all that He said, all that the scriptures said, and how He has now fulfilled every part of it.

Most of us will have to wait until our last day on this earth to see Jesus face to face. Many of us hope to hear the Lord say, “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into my rest.” I hope for and fully expect to meet the Lord face to face, see a big smile on His face, and hear Him say, “told ya” with all of my family, who have gone before me, breaking out into joyous laughter.

Lord Jesus, may my sins not cause me to be “startled and terrified” upon meeting you. Rather, may I be filled with “incredulous joy and amazement” when I see your wonderful smile and hear you say, “told ya!”

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