Happy Resurrection Day, or if the traditionalists among you really must insist... Easter.
One of the things that first convinced me of the resurrection as a reality in my mind, was the simplicity of it. Isn't it true with lies, that you have to concoct evermore elaborate tales to maintain the illusion of your falsehoods?
The Gospels don't do this... and this is what I find remarkable. As this is the season, I thought I'd look at it in a little detail today. Here are the examples:
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 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. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 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."" Matthew 28:1-7
Note from that passage that Jesus had already exited the tomb... no explanation given, Matthew doesn't invent a cute, clever mechanism as to how this might have happened... he just writes it as it was perceived. Simple and straight to the point, as a reliable account should be kept.
We do get a little insight into this later on:
"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20:19-20
and:
"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."" John 20:26-29
So clearly, Jesus had either the ability to walk through walls or teleport (heck he's the Son of God... my guess he can pick or choose at his discretion). Now I've heard some people put forward a scientific suggestion that the resurrection somehow involved atomic change and Jesus, with a body now made up of neutrons would be able to pass through solids while retaining solid form. I don't want to get into intellectual stuff now though... it dilutes the message.
Again, the events are recorded.. but not explained away ad infinitum.
Yesterday, I wrote with regard to the reasons why Jesus Christ endured the cross - that we may have life... and have it to the full, to save us... not condemn us.
Now I will tell you one thing Jesus will not do:
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." John 3:20
Jesus Christ, the omnipotent Son of God who does not have need of doors, will not enter the door of your heart against your will. That verse proves it. He'll stand outside knocking... sometimes that knocking will be loud... and sometimes his knuckles will be raw from that knocking, because of his great passion for you. He will however, not enter into your heart if you do not welcome him. Much as he loves you, he respects your free will that much.
Knowing now what he came to do, what I wonder is your choice going to be? Are you going to hide behind the sofa like my mum got me and my sister to do as kids when the JW's came round (why?), or are you going to be brave... take a stand and open that door and say like Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"?
Think on it. Jesus does not say if you open the door, that he will beat you about the head with a cudgel... he comes to help, to heal and to save. I won't lie to you... sometimes I've been disciplined... but it has never been capricious or malevolent... and it has only happened when I have become proud, stubborn and thought of myself as something more than I ought. My promise to you is this. If you are broken, he will not break you still further... it simply isn't what he does - the Bible says that a bruised reed he will not break.
Are you that bruised reed? Then maybe, just maybe you know you need to take a chance on God's promises to you.
So once again, happy Resurrection Day - Easter, whatever you call it. Enjoy your chocolate... but learn to enjoy Jesus too.
Blessings
One of the things that first convinced me of the resurrection as a reality in my mind, was the simplicity of it. Isn't it true with lies, that you have to concoct evermore elaborate tales to maintain the illusion of your falsehoods?
The Gospels don't do this... and this is what I find remarkable. As this is the season, I thought I'd look at it in a little detail today. Here are the examples:
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 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. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 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."" Matthew 28:1-7
Note from that passage that Jesus had already exited the tomb... no explanation given, Matthew doesn't invent a cute, clever mechanism as to how this might have happened... he just writes it as it was perceived. Simple and straight to the point, as a reliable account should be kept.
We do get a little insight into this later on:
"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20:19-20
and:
"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."" John 20:26-29
So clearly, Jesus had either the ability to walk through walls or teleport (heck he's the Son of God... my guess he can pick or choose at his discretion). Now I've heard some people put forward a scientific suggestion that the resurrection somehow involved atomic change and Jesus, with a body now made up of neutrons would be able to pass through solids while retaining solid form. I don't want to get into intellectual stuff now though... it dilutes the message.
Again, the events are recorded.. but not explained away ad infinitum.
Yesterday, I wrote with regard to the reasons why Jesus Christ endured the cross - that we may have life... and have it to the full, to save us... not condemn us.
Now I will tell you one thing Jesus will not do:
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." John 3:20
Jesus Christ, the omnipotent Son of God who does not have need of doors, will not enter the door of your heart against your will. That verse proves it. He'll stand outside knocking... sometimes that knocking will be loud... and sometimes his knuckles will be raw from that knocking, because of his great passion for you. He will however, not enter into your heart if you do not welcome him. Much as he loves you, he respects your free will that much.
Knowing now what he came to do, what I wonder is your choice going to be? Are you going to hide behind the sofa like my mum got me and my sister to do as kids when the JW's came round (why?), or are you going to be brave... take a stand and open that door and say like Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"?
Think on it. Jesus does not say if you open the door, that he will beat you about the head with a cudgel... he comes to help, to heal and to save. I won't lie to you... sometimes I've been disciplined... but it has never been capricious or malevolent... and it has only happened when I have become proud, stubborn and thought of myself as something more than I ought. My promise to you is this. If you are broken, he will not break you still further... it simply isn't what he does - the Bible says that a bruised reed he will not break.
Are you that bruised reed? Then maybe, just maybe you know you need to take a chance on God's promises to you.
So once again, happy Resurrection Day - Easter, whatever you call it. Enjoy your chocolate... but learn to enjoy Jesus too.
Blessings
N
He Arose. Hallelujah, Christ Arose.
ReplyDeleteBe encouraged and keep on blogging!
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