It was the Dawn of a new Day.
Matthew 28:6 "He is not here, He has risen." Seven words and all of Christianity hangs in the balance. More than a Man. More than a Good Teacher. He is the Resurrection and the Life. And, He is not there in the tomb.
The women went to the tomb to find Him there. They carried spices with them---for His body. They didn't expect to find a resurrected body but a dead body. Even the eleven disciples didn't expect to find a Resurrection from the dead. When Jesus appeared to them in Galilee, some of the disciples still doubted. Living Proof and they can't quite wrap their minds around it. Wonder what I'm not wrapping my heart around this new dawn. For as sure as the sun rose this morning, the Morning Star is revealing Himself to you and to me if I just have eyes to see.
Matthew 28:13 - The chief priests paid off the soldiers with handsome money: "Tell people: His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep." The whole earth trembles and an Angel Messenger rolls back the stone not to let Jesus out but to let the witnesses come in. Every day He calls us to come in and be witnesses---to tell what we know in a world of power. (I Cor. 1:21).
And His Last Words before He ascended into the heavens (Matthew 28: 19-20): "Go therefore and make disciples, baptizing them, teaching them... And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." The I AM is with you and with me this new dawn of today.
The most beautiful words proclaimed in the history of the world: He is risen
ReplyDeleteI pray we remember to stand firm on His word in love as we minister and make disciples of all nations.
Quickly now, go tell His disciples that Jesus Christ is no longer dead. He's risen just as He said...
ReplyDeleteWhen they heard the words from Jesus while He was with them, who could imagine what it all meant? Suddenly, it all began to make sense. Did they even have a word "resurrected"? He is risen. Conversations replayed in their heads, then their hearts overflowed with joy. He's risen! Just as He said!
Out of His anguished It is finished just hours before comes the glorious news, He is risen. Victory over death, He made a way for us. He is risen. He is risen indeed!
And in closing Matthew, the Great Commission summons each of us to pick up His ministry. My pastor once said "At any given point in time, Christianity is only one generation away from extinction." We are the remnant. Lord, I ask for the attitude of Samuel to have a yes in my heart. Here I am, Lord. Send me.
Matt 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
ReplyDeleteThe Great Commission as these verses are referred to however one phrase that I never forget is the very last "I am with you always, to the end of the age". This brings me such encouragement and comfort knowing that only because of His blood and the fact that He rose again in three days and is alive today and evermore throughout the end of time. No matter how I feel or what I am experiencing because I am His child He goes before me, beside me and behind me. His LOVE and unconditional acceptance is always there for me Because I BELIEVE.
This is a song I must, Sing.
18 "And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
ReplyDeleteRich, rich passages today.
Ummm.
So easy to read, words on the screen or on the pages...but to behold this with your own eyes?
To SEE Him...standing there saying "Greetings?"
To touch His warm feet?
To have Him looking at you with His gentle eyes?
Dark brown. Twinkling.
And to see that smile...grinning from ear to ear.
I have goosebumps thinking about that moment of resurrection revelation...
And the results of His suffering, His faithfulness to the Father, His willingness to leave heaven and come as the Son of Man...
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
Power.
Power over nature.
Power over kingdoms.
Power over angels.
Power over life.
Power over death.
Power over spiritual kingdoms and authorities.
Power over humans.
Power over souls.
Take a moment and just close your eyes and visualize His authority.
When we rebel...we rebel against this authority.
How very "ant-like" I feel right now.
But He goes on to send us forth as His Ambassadors of Faith.
Little Christs.