Never Be Left Out
Good Morning Friends,
On Monday morning we were praying out in Immokalee about today’s scripture and the faithfulness of Mary Magdalene and the story of the greatest morning in history. It is a lesson about power and how God distributes it. The story within a story makes it clear who is in charge and who is not. It almost humorously places the heavenly power of a rock and roll resurrection against the puny power of Pilate’s guards.
The inclusion of the Marys and the seeming exclusion of Jesus’ closest disciples makes the passage even more engaging for it is witness that God seeks out the faithful and whom the world consider weak so that they will Never Be Left Out.
Scripture: After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Matthew 28:1-8 (NRSV)
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.”
Matthew 22:1-4 (NRSV)
Message: The Resurrection is designed to change the way we look at power and the way we look at life and death. Sometimes I think we are to look at it as a marriage. You see, the Resurrection proclaims the power of God but it also proclaims the way God distributes power. It is like a marriage. Friends, you nor I can stop the inevitable but sometimes we have to wait for it and sometimes we just have to turn around and recognize it.
Pray that we not offer false hope. Pray that we realize that the message of the Resurrection is beautiful and wonderful but that it does not automatically make everything all right for those who have yet to see and hear. Pray we realize that the empty tomb is a source of great joy but also judgment. Pray we submit to the life giving power of the universe in a marriage that lasts forever. Pray we accept the invitation to learn for the teacher.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 