The Resurrection
Good Morning Friends,
In the Bible we see surprise at the sudden appearance of angel, at deliverance, and special births, the circumstances of Jesus Christ’s death, the coming of the Holy Spirit, at the change in people’s lives and at the discernment of unlikely people. Jesus Christ surprised people because of his standard for morality that requires God’s mercy. People were surprised at Jesus Christ’s humility, his control of natural elements, and the company he kept and who he healed. People were surprised at his requirements for entering heaven and his authority in teaching, his wisdom and expectations. The Jewish leaders were surprised and angered at his disregard for Jewish customs and the rejection of religious words and actions but they were most surprised that he brought back the dead. Still too many were clinging to the false safety of the law. The amazing thing is that Jesus is surprised too. He is surprised by the great faith of unlikely people. He is surprised by his disciple’s dullness and lack of spiritual insight. But what is most amazing is the surprise we experience…by the courage, miracles and teachings that change us. Being open to God’s surprises of joy is one of the characteristics of the Christian life. It is not knowing what will happen but still acting in faith that shows forth our belief in The Resurrection.
Scripture: 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
John 20:19-23 (NRSV)
29When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! 32The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!
Luke 11:29-32 (NRSV)
Message: God is always doing something new. And God invites us on a journey to experience this newness. The laws simple guide us on the way but they are not the destination. They bring safety but are not meant to constrain us from God but nudge us to God. God will not deny Himself. We are to give in to the joy of this day…we are to embrace the surprise of Shalom….that when Christ is with us we can be whole. We can be at peace with our past, present and future. Here when Jesus is saying “peace be with you,” He is giving us the Holy Hope we so desperately need in our continuing journey with the living Christ. He is marking our lives with a purpose, meaning and direction. So let us prepare for Easter and all its surprises… an empty tomb, a doubter’s fears and unbelief changed, a Savior announcing that His Peace will be with us. Friends the law is not an end in and of itself. It is a means to an end. The Pharisees wanted a sign and Jesus gave them one…the sign of Jonah.
Pray that we give a smile, give compliments, give a favor, give a prayer and give someone a surprise. Pray we are not closed within a systematized approach to how God’s grace can be imparted. Pray that on the journey we find satisfaction…that we are surprised by joy in the love of God. Pray we experience a risen Christ. Pray we understand the signs of the times but have not been imprisoned by them.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 