journey onWord with us

HE IS RISEN! … and I hear you echo back, “HE IS RISEN, INDEED!”

The bright, brilliant Light has broken through the darkness on Resurrection morning, and He is Risen, as He said!  While the redemptive work of Christ was finished before sundown Friday, on Sunday morning, the stone was rolled away, Jesus walked out of the tomb, and everything changed!  O grave, where is thy victory? O death where is thy sting? (I Cor 15:55 KJV)  It’s the BEST NEWS EVER, right?!

Come with me to the scene of the tomb on that amazing Resurrection morning.  A group of women were on their way, bringing spices to anoint the body of Jesus.  At some point during their trip, they begin talking about the stone that seals Jesus’ tomb, and who was going to roll it away for them.  A small detail right?!  I’m a little more than slightly stunned at the stories of these central characters in the life of Jesus.  These characters He chose, who do things like argue multiple times about who will be greatest in the kingdom.  The ones who are there every step of the way, listening to Jesus’ stories, yet continually ask, “now Jesus, can you explain that one to us again?”  The ones who make plans and gather spices for a trip to the tomb, yet are just now thinking about that massive rock that stands between them and Jesus’ body!  I’m only stunned for the briefest of moments until I realize that sounds so much like me!  And then I thank God that He chooses people like them, because that means He chooses people like me.

Arriving at the tomb, the women discover that the massive rock (they had just been talking about) has already been moved.  The tomb is open, and they walk in.

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. (Mark 16:5 ESV)

Alarmed?!  No doubt.  A young man in a white robe?  Interesting.  They are visibly afraid, and this “young man” seeks to calm their fear.  Calm their fear, and then share the BEST NEWS EVER.  Jesus is not there; He is risen as He said!!  The young man then continues with an instruction that begins with two simple words. Go, tell... (Mark 16:7 ESV)

Jesus gives the same instruction to his disciples only a short time later as He meets with them before returning to the Father.  Go, tell.  We all share this responsibility with the women who went to the tomb, and the disciples who gathered on the hillside that day.  Go, tell.

I think it’s proper on this day of celebration, to take a few brief moments and reflect on the response of the women to this central command.  I believe it is much like ours.  I know it has been much like mine at times.

And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:8 ESV)

Trembling and astonishment seized them, and they said nothing to anyone … does that strike a resonant chord with you personally?  Have you lived moments like that before?  “Yes” and “absolutely” for me.  I can think of so many times when my opportunities to go and tell have failed because of crippling fear.  Perfect love drives out fear, and oh how imperfect mine has been in the times I’ve been seized by fear.  I’m fairly certain the purpose of Mark telling this story was not to comfort us with the truth that the people closest to Jesus were overwhelmed with fear in the face of “Go, tell.”  But I believe we should see that in this story.  See it and be emboldened in our own opportunities to “Go, tell.”  Father, help us always, and especially in those times when fear seeks to seize and silence us.  May we go and tell with boldness the life changing truths that your Son died for us and that He is Risen, just as He said!