Do You See What Happens When We Believe In A Risen Lord?
Good Morning Friends,
It was dark on that Sunday morning. But they could not sleep. So the woman got up and as they headed for the tomb the sun began to rise. Their path was lined with shadows that reminded them of the painful darkness that hovered over their souls even as they tried to remember the joy of Jesus. But instead their thoughts relived the terrible events of the last few days. The scenes were playing out again and again in their minds. But finally their faith in, their love for and their devotion to Jesus overcame them. They wanted to see the tomb….to see Jesus but had no idea how they were going to remove the stone. Nothing could really prepare them or us for a resurrected Christ. Do You See What Happens When We Believe In A Risen Lord?
Scripture: But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:19-26 (NRSV)
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. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:1-10, 16-29 (NRSV)
Message: The women went to the tomb as an act of faith. Jesus did not need the stone rolled away. He was already gone. But the women needed it rolled away so that they could see that the tomb was empty. They went anyway. Peter needed to see it so that he would be prepared to receive forgiveness. What Jesus said was true. This had to mean that Jesus was alive. And since John and the women saw him die, it must also mean that Jesus had risen from the dead… Jesus had defeated death. No one was going to take the body. That kind of conspiracy, based on a lie, would never hold together. They would be found out and killed. There was no other conclusion for the women and there is no other rational conclusion for us either. With the evidence today we must reach the same conclusion. Consider that we worship today. Consider that our calendars have been changed. Consider that testimonies of the resurrection exceed 500 eye witnesses. Consider that no one produced the body to dispute the resurrection. Consider that support for the historic event is in the writings of others who were not even practicing Christians. This is not a story…but history…His Story. And that means that with the tomb being empty His forgiveness is full… we too are heirs to the Kingdom…we get a second chance. Friends, believing and being released from the bondage of sin are intertwined. There is something more going on here than a rational argument for a belief in a resurrected Jesus. When we believe something happens inside of us that opens our hearts and transforms us into something new that feels to me as love. Friends, if one believes it is indeed a Happy Easter. During Lent we have buried our hallelujahs as a way of facing death. But today, in defiance of death we release them as if to say in Jesus we have life… new life. So today we rejoice because we have something to believe in. Today we sing Hallelujahs! Today we celebrate the risen Christ.
Pray we allow the Holy Spirit within us to convince us that we are heirs to an infinite treasure because of God’s presence everywhere. Pray we come to Jesus. Pray we overcome the obstacles of the world. Pray we take Jesus at His word. Pray our faith grows as we see God at work. Pray we overcome the world’s message of despair and realize that Jesus came to bring us life. Pray that because of the hope and joy and peace and love in the resurrection in us we have a reason for living. Pray that we worship the resurrected Christ. Pray we be full of hope and eager to share the great and good news. Pray we see the light and power of the resurrection. Pray that every time we think we have gone beyond His grace, that we remember that for all He died in our place. Pray we share in the new life made possible by the risen Lord…the indescribable joy of the salvation of our souls. Pray the stone rolls away from our eyes.
Pray that our love and devotion to Jesus will be rewarded.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 