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April 2007
He Is Risen Indeed!
Of all the affirmations of the Christian
faith the claim of resurrection is most central. From the earliest
followers of Jesus, through all the ages and until this very day, the
resurrection of Jesus is the foundation upon which faith rests.
Disciples confused and frightened before the resurrection, became bold
preachers for Jesus after Easter morning. Resurrection faith made them
willing to risk life, reputation and public scorn as they dared to
proclaim that God has acted in Jesus in a unique, decisive and
determinative way. Jesus wasn't just another messenger, He was the
message. So, from that first Easter morning until this day believers
have pointed to the resurrection as the stamp of Divine approval for
the life and ministry of Jesus. The resurrection is God's
“Amen” not only for the earliest believers but for all who
are Christian.
But did you know the truth of the resurrection was not the first response of the disciples? According to Luke 24, the women arrived at the tomb and were met by an angel who explained to them the empty tomb. The women immediately sought out the rest of the disciples, told them what had happened and the disciples did not believe the women's testimony. As Luke describes it the resurrection “...seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” (Luke 24: 11). In fact, Peter ran to the empty tomb and stood staring into the emptiness, then went home!
Later the disciples gathered and into the midst of this gathering Jesus made himself known. He appeared before them bodily, showing scars and declaring the reality of his resurrection. He was not a phantom, a ghost or an illusionary expression of their most profound hope. He was really there! Alive, victorious over the cruelty and evil that had slain him. Alive, forevermore!!
You and I are the people of Easter. We declare that resurrection is more than an annual celebratory event. The raising of Jesus is a statement of God's intended actions in our world. God has acted in Christ to renew our world; to bring it to a place where heaven and earth are united because God has torn down all barriers separating the two. The resurrection of Jesus is the concluding act in the inauguration of Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
As Easter people we joyously affirm the historic faith, join our voices with the saints of the ages and with those of our day to proclaim: “He is alive...alive forevermore.” Praise God!
Grace and Peace,
David
But did you know the truth of the resurrection was not the first response of the disciples? According to Luke 24, the women arrived at the tomb and were met by an angel who explained to them the empty tomb. The women immediately sought out the rest of the disciples, told them what had happened and the disciples did not believe the women's testimony. As Luke describes it the resurrection “...seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” (Luke 24: 11). In fact, Peter ran to the empty tomb and stood staring into the emptiness, then went home!
Later the disciples gathered and into the midst of this gathering Jesus made himself known. He appeared before them bodily, showing scars and declaring the reality of his resurrection. He was not a phantom, a ghost or an illusionary expression of their most profound hope. He was really there! Alive, victorious over the cruelty and evil that had slain him. Alive, forevermore!!
You and I are the people of Easter. We declare that resurrection is more than an annual celebratory event. The raising of Jesus is a statement of God's intended actions in our world. God has acted in Christ to renew our world; to bring it to a place where heaven and earth are united because God has torn down all barriers separating the two. The resurrection of Jesus is the concluding act in the inauguration of Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
As Easter people we joyously affirm the historic faith, join our voices with the saints of the ages and with those of our day to proclaim: “He is alive...alive forevermore.” Praise God!
Grace and Peace,
David