Thursday, May 8, 2025

“Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection.” John Stott

Dear church,

John Stott was an influential British evangelical leader (1921-2011). He wrote numerous books and touched people with his sermons and teachings. God found him as a searching young person. His father was a physician and a confessing agnostic; his mom had been raised as a Lutheran. I find this quote very true and meaningful. Tons of people - scholars, theologians, people without academic degrees - have wondered about the resurrection. Could it have happened? Did it happen? Was the resurrection real or imagined? Did Jesus rise in flesh and blood or just “appear” to his followers? Lots of ink has been spilled over those questions. The gospels are clear, especially Luke and John, who portray Jesus as eating, talking and being touched in the days after came back.

But perhaps one of the greatest indicators of the resurrection is the way his followers were changed and became real believers, courageous and purposeful missionaries, pioneers of the church. That’s not how they are portrayed in the gospels while following their master. It’s a transformation that happened after this monumental experience – the resurrection.

Honestly, I can relate. It was four weeks ago when we thought we had lost our son. And during the first two weeks of that ordeal, his chances of recovery were slim. How he shows up today is beyond our rosiest expectations. We saw him last night at the Rehab Center in Elkins Park, in a facility that was once “Rolling Hill Hospital,” which I remember from my days as pastor in Philadelphia. And my son is a full version of the old Sam, and then some. One of the more interesting phenomena is his sudden interest in food. Sam was never a big eater, he suffered from chronic stomach pain, one of his many ailments over the years. Now he is eating like a teenager. He ate a huge pizza last night, and that was after finishing his regular dinner. We have never ever seen him eating this much. Will this young man actually gain some weight? In one of the resurrection stories, the risen Christ asks for something to eat. He is famished. They bring him broiled fish. I think pizza is the modern version of broiled fish and Sam's sudden appetite a huge sign of life.

A miraculous turn-around like this does something to you. It changes how you think about life. You are less prone to sweat the small stuff. You are more likely to believe that big things can happen. And you develop a different relationship with God or with Christ. I remember the most anxious days when I felt Christ saying to me “Trust me!” several times. And I wasn’t sure I could trust this sensation, but that’s what I heard. Honest to God.

The disciples became different people after the resurrection. Perhaps all of us, considering that resurrection happens all the time in nature – and right now before our eyes in the beauty of spring – can become transformed people, people who have Life and Hope written all over them.

Have a most blessed week,

Pastor Andreas Wagner