A Startling New Reality! for paper
On that first Easter morning the women were the first to go to the burial cave and received a startling message from an angel. “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen”! Mark 16: 6 They were so startled and bewildered by this message that they initially told no one. Later, after these women reported to the other disciples what they were told, the disciples couldn’t believe it either. It just didn’t seem right: rise from the dead? Jesus had tried to tell them he would rise after death, but that message had not registered in their thinking. Therefore, the angel reminded the women, “He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you”. Mark 16: 7 That’s why when Jesus did appear to the disciples, he demonstrated to all that it was really him and that he really did rise bodily from the dead. Remember Thomas putting his hand in the wounds? Recall Jesus eating breakfast with the disciples on the shore? It really was Jesus! He really did come back to life!
Because this was startling and bewildering news the disciples likely didn’t realize right away the huge implication this would have on their lives. They just knew that this makes life really different. But later they would come to realize that this startling new reality unleashed a life-changing dynamic that would affect all of our lives. Ponder this for your life:
Jesus’ resurrection means that all of your sin is forgiven. His resurrection proved that his death was sufficient to pay for all of your sin.
Jesus’ resurrection means that he has been victorious over death, and that you, too, will rise from the dead, as Paul writes, “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”. 1 Corinthians 15: 20
For Christians Jesus’ resurrection means that everything about your life right now has changed. It is new. You have a certain hope based on a new reality that even death cannot disappoint. Every day right now is lived with the certainty that as our Easter worship songs declare “my Redeemer lives” and because of that ‘my soul is rescued’, my sin is covered, my shame is taken away, my pain is healed in his name, my burdens are lifted and I know that my Lord has conquered the grave, My redeemer lives!!
When I think of this new resurrection reality as revealed by the experience of the women, it makes me think of faithful Christians at funerals. After all, these three ladies went to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. Consider the comparison: The mourners gather at the church, viewing their deceased loved one’s body for the final time. The pain of death and the emotions of grief weigh heavy. Those closest to the person have made many preparations in only a few days. It has been a stressful time. After the casket is closed and they come into the sanctuary, their minds are on the one they lost, on how life must go on without their dear departed friend. But then, they hear a startling message. It begins with words like those of Paul, who wrote, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life”. Romans 6: 4
It continues with songs like that very Easter hymn “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”, that we have just paraphrased. As the preacher proclaims the promises of Christ’s resurrection in his funeral sermon, they begin to adjust to the new, amazing reality of death being defeated—for their loved one who died in the faith and for them!
Therefore, the new life that comes from the resurrection of Christ means that we approach everything, funerals included, in a new way. We no longer need to think in terms of avoiding the reality of death or pushing thoughts of Judgment Day out of our minds. Jesus did rise from the dead, just as he said! His resurrection promises us new life, eternal life with God! We, therefore, can get used to a new way of thinking, because Christ changed everything when he rose from the dead!
By the power of the Holy Spirit, you can get used to and live this new life in the hope and peace of God, which truly does surpass all human understanding, which, because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, will guard your hearts and minds unto life everlasting!
Blessings