What does it mean to recognize the risen Christ? And why is resurrection faith never automatic?

In this episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast, Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Cody Sanders dig into the Third Sunday of Easter texts: the Emmaus road story in Luke 24, Peter's Pentecost sermon in Acts 2, Psalm 116, and 1 Peter 1.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus don't recognize Jesus, and the hosts explore why that matters for preaching today. Resurrection reveals itself slowly, through long walks, honest grief, and the intimacy of a shared meal. The table becomes the place of recognition, connecting Emmaus to the Feeding of the 5,000 and the Lord's Supper. The conversation also surfaces a provocative question from Margaret Ami's commentary: what does it mean that the risen Christ appears as a migrant or resident foreigner?

From Acts, the hosts ask what "repentance" really means in response to the resurrection, and how Peter's audience models the question preachers still face: What should we do? Psalm 116 and 1 Peter 1 deepen that question, pointing toward holy living, genuine mutual love, and a faith grounded in the living word of God.