Endless Possibilities
He is risen.
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." - Matthew 28:1-10
Surprise! The world is not what you thought it was.
Mary gets a shocking surprise when she approaches the tomb, and her first reaction is fear. Her world has been shaken again. This time, though, is different, for the news is beyond belief, even though it is what he said it would be.
Because of what happens this day, every expectation of what is possible in the world changes. Mary gets to see Jesus alive, and that means nothing will be the same again.
As we rejoice in the good news that Jesus is raised today, how will we look at the world differently?
Will we choose to believe that in Jesus all things are possible? Will we have the courage to venture out and attempt the impossible knowing he is with us and he can make outcomes defy reason?
Despite the worst possible turn of events in the crucifixion, the mission continues, and that is the message we all need to take from this experience.
If even death cannot hold Jesus, what could possibly stop him and through him, us from doing what he set out to do in this world.
Let us go and do the work he commissioned us to do, then. Let us humbly serve all in need.
More to come...