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Jesus Has Risen

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

 

The great news of the resurrection was frightening, wonderful and hard to understand. Not because Jesus followers didn’t believe; but it was so “not human” they struggled to understand it. Jesus knew that we humans are fragile and need help to understand his magnificence, so he appeared and led the disciples to full understanding a step at a time.

Should it be any different today? Most of us will take time to understand Jesus was God’s son sent to die for us even though he was sinless and didn’t deserve to die. Many people throughout the world have heard the story of Jesus but many have not. Even those who have heard the good news may not understand the fact that God did not have to walk among us to be worshiped. He walked among us to have a deep and lasting relationship with us.

So, when we as believers are asked about Jesus during Easter, we need to be kind to those who don’t understand the gift of Love that Christ bestowed through his death and resurrection.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and understanding. Thank you for walking among us and helping us to live with love in a confusing world. Help us to show, understand and pass on your love to all people we meet today and through our journey to eternity with you. Amen

Robert Carrothers

robert.carrothers@gmail.com