Here in the Easter season we get to see the point and the purpose of Easter. Jesus really died, and Jesus really rose from the dead. He died and rose to fulfill the prophecies, and he died for us: to redeem us and he rose to show us the way home. The readings today show the story and the purpose of the actual death and actual resurrection.

In the first reading from Acts, Peter tells the people that Jesus really died, was put to death through their own actions, but then rose like it was told. He says he personally witnessed and experienced this. The Gospel of Luke continues the idea of veracity. Peter says I witnessed this. It really happened. The two disciples in Luke see Jesus alive after the crucifixion. They are afraid it is a ghost, but Jesus speaks to them. Shows his wounds. Tells them to touch him – he is flesh and bones. Eats fish in front of them. He is alive. Living, breathing, eating, flesh and bones. He died and he rose in fulfillment of the scriptures, and he tells them that they are the witnesses of these things.

Peter tells the people they didn’t know any better before, but now that this has all happened, the way it was foretold, they need to repent now and believe and change their ways. The second reading continues on this theme. John says the people need to keep the commandments and follow Jesus. He is an advocate for his people now, the ones who sincerely believe. Jesus says in the gospel that he fulfilled the prophecies and that repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be preached in his name. Jesus died to redeem us, if we truly believe and follow him.

The readings today all make the point that this is real. They really saw this. They really experienced this. This really happened. And the reason it really happened is to redeem us. To save us. If we let it. We have to believe and follow Jesus.