The Resurrection of Our Lord

Artist: Woven by Pieter van Aelst, replicating a sketch by an unknown student of Raphael

Date: Date of tapestry unknown, but sketch was made in 1524-1531

Location: Vatican Museum
Rome, Italy

Medium: Tapestry

Dimensions: 562 x 954 cm

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation for Christianity. Without it, everything we do is unfulfilling, empty, hopeless, and meaningless. Those feelings must have been the exact ones that came over the followers of Christ when they learned that he had been crucified. What were they to do now? Many of Christ’s disciples had left behind their jobs and family to follow the Savior. If he was gone, where would they go? Could they simply walk back home and get there jobs back? They would have to start new lives and deal with the humiliation of being the ones that followed the fake messiah.

God was aware of what his followers were feeling. Knowing they were sad and afraid he made sure that they had contact with Jesus after he had been raised from the dead. The first person to see Jesus was Mary Magdalene. She had a conversation with the risen Messiah which gave her great hope. Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went immediately and told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:17-18)

Hearing this news must have been too good to be true. Why else would they have doubted the words of Mary? The Lord appeared to them in a locked room and said, “Peace be with you!” The disciples must have indeed had a sense of peace. Their Savior had risen from the dead. Even Thomas, who did not believe at first, was given confidence, knowing for certain that his Savior was alive again.

Often times I have wished that I was among the disciples to witness Christ after his resurrection for myself. I wish I, like Thomas, could have placed my finger in his wounds for proof that it was indeed Jesus standing before me. I wish I could have heard him say, “Peace be with you” and to feel the peace that would follow. I wish I was there, but I wasn’t. I have to learn to trust that he did rise, that Christ is still risen, and that he will be forevermore.

Throughout this week I began looking for ways to reassure myself that Christ had risen from the dead and that life was not meaningless, hopeless and empty. They may not be things that would make anyone believe, but they were enough for me. I was able to feel Christ’s presence in each moment:

Number 1: I went to church in Rome, Italy with a congregation of over 7 different races from different countries. Even though I did not understand the songs that some of the people sang in their own language I got goose bumps.

Number 2: I watched a nun on a bus give her seat to a woman and her child.

Number 3: I sang in a choir with Italians and Philippinos. Our different accents were used to tell others about the birth of Christ.

Number 4: I went out to Chinese with some friends and they shared their testimonies with me.

Number 5: I talked to a missionary that works in Rome and heard the assurance in her voice about the will of God.

Number 6: I spent 3 months in Rome, Italy, learning about these people, learning to love these people, and wanting to stay here longer.

I did not get to be in the room when Christ said, “Peace be with you.” I was not able to touch his wounds and feel his power. But Christ touches me here in this place every day. I do not need to see him physically because I can see him moving all around me. I just need to be aware of his presence in my life. This is how I know that life is not meaningless or empty. My Savior has risen from the dead and I know that for a fact.

Bibliography:

http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/the-collections/positions-of-tapestries.html