My favorite Easter story is the two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13 - 32). This is a story about two men who followed Christ and were depressed by the events of his death. A third man joined them, Jesus, but they did not recognize him.

They in fact did not recognize him throughout the conversation they had together. They realized who he was when he broke the bread and gave the cup to them at dinner. They felt his living presence.

The other resurrection stories are dramatic; angels, stone rolled back, empty tomb. I have never experienced any of these and find it hard to relate to.

There are times, however, when I am discouraged and depressed and wonder where God is.

Several years ago I woke one morning with a strange sensation in my belly. My doctor had me immediately go to the ER where it was determined that I had a intestinal blockage. They didn't know the cause. It might be a kink in the intestine or it might be a tumor. Surgery was planned for the next morning. That evening I was scared... not sure what I was facing.

My good friend Fred came by to visit. We talked, we prayed, and he gave me a hug. As he was leaving the room, I felt a glow of soft light coming from where he was standing. No one else could see it and no camera could photograph it, but it was there. I am sure it was the loving presence of God. And I felt peace, slept well, and the surgery happened the next morning. It in fact was simply a kink and I was fine.

The living presence of Christ came to me in the darkness of my fear... that is the message of Easter.