Not Dead. Risen!
Have you ever experienced the anguish and anxiety from realizing a child that was under your care has gone missing? Maybe you were at the mall, or at the park… Maybe you were at a picnic or at a family function… when you suddenly realized that the child that you were supposed to be watching was gone. If you have ever experienced that feeling of panic and despair, anxiety and guilt, horror and remorse, then you know the feeling of those who had walked closely with Jesus, only to suddenly lose Him on that Good Friday. But, do you remember the feeling you had when that child that was gone, was found again? Do you remember the joy and exultation, the gratefulness and relief when you were able to see that child and hug and embrace them again? Then maybe you can understand the emotions felt by the women who went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid, only to find it was empty, and hear the words “He’s not here, He is risen” (Matt 28:1-10). I pray that God will provide you with new hope, new joy and new life this resurrection Sunday!
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. (Matt. 28:1-4) Several things took place early on Resurrection Sunday. First we see thee love and dedication that Mary Magdalene, the other Mary (among others) showed toward Jesus as they made their way at dawn, to the sepulcher where Jesus was buried. Then, the earth shook, as the angel of the Lord descended from heaven with great power and rolled away the stone at the entrance to the tomb. The power of the angel’s appearance and actions not only shook the earth… but also shook the Roman soldiers, who were guarding the tomb, to the point where they fainted from fear. God has the power to roll the stones away and resurrect the blessings that your enemies tried to bury and keep from you.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. (Matt. 28:5-8) The angel turned his attention to the women who had come to the tomb, and unlike the guards, he spoke to them to calm their fears. He invited them into the empty tomb to validate what he told them, “He is not here, He is risen”. Then the angel instructed them to go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen and He went before them into Galilee, where they would be able to see Him. Then the women went quickly, as the angel had instructed them. They had fear, but also great joy at hearing and witnessing that news. So they ran, excitedly, to share the news with Jesus’ disciples. With great joy, you can lift up your head. For He is risen, He’s not dead!
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. (Matt. 28:9-10) While these women were yet on their way to tell the disciples the news, Jesus met them. And they worshipped Him. And Jesus instructed them once again, not to be afraid and to tell the disciples to go and they would see Him in Galilee. Wherever I meet Jesus, there is joy…and I can’t help but worship Him!
Whatever we may be going through in your life, whatever the pain, anguish, trial or tribulation, Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope. Hope that if we just hold on, He will give us new joy. Hope that He provides to us in His brand new mercies and new blessings each day. Hope that because He overcame this world that hated Him, He can help us navigate our haters and overcome our circumstance. You see, the resurrection is essential to our Christian faith, for without the resurrection, all hope was lost. But the fact of the resurrection reminds us that hope is not dead, it is still alive. The resurrection reminds us that joy is not dead and that love is not dead either. And most importantly, the resurrection reminds us that our faith in Jesus is not in vain, because He is not dead…He is risen!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
Enjoy Kirk Franklin’s classic song - “Don’t Cry”
