The Resurrection for the Disciples Shozaburo Takino　(Father in Charge) 　 　　　　When spring arrives, trees and flowers that seemed dead during the winter sprout new life, 　　　transforming the landscape. Around us, too, things happen in spring that weren't visible in winter. 　　　If we just take a closer look at our surroundings, we'll find many things we've never noticed before. 　　　We should make an effort to get outside more often and observe nature. 　　　　After Jesus was crucified and killed, his disciples, frightened, hid somewhere. However, after 　　　a while, they came out and spoke before people. What exactly happened to the disciples? 　　　　When Jesus was crucified and killed, his disciples lost their spirit, much like a tree that withers 　　　and dies in winter. But just as new buds sprout from a dead tree in the spring, a faint glimmer of hope 　　　began to well up in the hearts of the disheartened disciples. 　　　　We didn't think that everything was over when Jesus died. We were expecting something to happen. 　　　Even when we saw that the tomb was empty, we didn't immediately think that Jesus had risen. 　　　But this event gave strength to the hearts of the disciples who had been hiding in fear. The disciples 　　　who had been scattered gradually gathered together and encouraged one another. 　　　　And so the disciples began to speak publicly in front of everyone. They started telling people, "Jesus is 　　　upright." How did the disciples, who had been so frightened and timid, suddenly change and become 　　　so energetic? 　　　　Jesus did not fulfill his disciples' hopes; rather, he betrayed their expectations and died. However, 　　　the disciples found hope in that moment and realized that they should rise up in Jesus' place. 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　from　Zefiro Issue 28