Great Joy or Old News?

Matthew 28:1-10

            On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection there was a lot of activity and excitement.  Besides Jesus’ rising from the dead (which no one observed), a great earthquake occurred when an angel of the Lord came and rolled the stone from the tomb’s entrance.  When the women came and encountered the angel they became afraid, but their fear mixed with joy when they learned of Jesus’ resurrection.

            As instructed by the angel, they were on their way to tell the disciples when Jesus met them.  He also instructed them to go tell the disciples that He was alive and that they should meet Him in Galilee.  In John’s gospel, it appears that Mary Magdalene made two trips to the tomb, and he records some of the conversation which Jesus had with her.  That same evening, Jesus appeared to the eleven and showed them His wounds.  At first they were startled, thinking they had seen a spirit, but then they rejoiced when they understood it was the Lord.

            It was an exciting time.  To say that the eleven disciples and the others then understood the whole meaning of Jesus’ return from the dead would be incorrect.  This didn’t happen until fifty days later when the Holy Spirit came upon the twelve and began revealing the truths of all these things to them.  But they were all amazed and overjoyed that Jesus was back with them.  Jesus was alive again!

            When we read in the gospels of Jesus’ resurrection, are we filled with the same joy which thrilled those disciples?  I’m not sure that would be possible since we did not personally experience Him and all these events.  But we believers should have a deep and abiding joy in knowing that our Savior, this Jesus to whom we have pledged our lives, has indeed come back from the dead.  His resurrection shattered the silence of the grave, broke the bonds of Hades and opened the door to a glorious future for humanity with God Himself!  That’s incredible news which should continue to thrill our hearts.

            Yes, I know that we’ve all heard this before.  But we should not let this become just some old, stale church teaching.  Death has been beaten!  Jesus is alive, and He’s coming back.  That’s good news. That’s great news!  That’s exciting news!!

                                                            ><>  Jeff