Alive. Merriam-Webster defines the word as having life : not dead or inanimate; still in existence, force, or operation. Christians around the globe celebrated the fact of Jesus Christ’s resurrection yesterday. We believe he’s still in operation, that those shriveled lungs breathed air again and that his scarred body walked out of the dark tomb into a bright middle-eastern morning long ago. Hallelujah! But what did Operation Jesus look like come Monday morning? Christ didn’t immediately return to heaven but hung around for another 40 days, tying up loose ends as it were. We can learn a lot about the heart of God from reflecting on how his Son spent his last days here.
Alive. Merriam-Webster defines the word as having life : not dead or inanimate; still in existence, force, or operation. Christians around the globe celebrated the fact of Jesus Christ’s resurrection yesterday. We believe he’s still in operation, that those shriveled lungs breathed air again and that his scarred body walked out of the dark tomb into a bright middle-eastern morning long ago. Hallelujah! But what did Operation Jesus look like come Monday morning? Christ didn’t immediately return to heaven but hung around for another 40 days, tying up loose ends as it were. We can learn a lot about the heart of God from reflecting on how his Son spent his last days here.
First, there’s what Jesus didn’t do after his resurrection. Who among us could have resisted the urge to run straight from the tomb, bounding into the temple shouting, “Shazaam! How do you like me now?” I would have enjoyed terrifying the Pharisees and Roman soldiers but Jesus, not so. With characteristic restraint, he didn’t appear to one soul who hadn’t already trusted in him. He was utterly free from the need to prove himself, trusting in God’s promise instead: “Vengeance is mine” (Deuteronomy 32:35). Christ left the score-settling to his Father, for another time.
Instead, he rewarded the faithful. The first mortals he blessed with the reality of his resurrection were women. Jesus’ tenacious female followers were the last at the cross on Friday and the first to the tomb Sunday morning. Even though their testimony wouldn't have been considered reliable to anyone that mattered, he appeared to them first and charged them to alert his male disciples, most of whom had fled into hiding when the going got rough. Mary Magdalene was so overjoyed at the sight of him that Christ needed to reply, “Stop clinging to me….” (John 20:17). I imagine that Mary cherished that encounter for the rest of her life. Then and today, God is a rewarder of those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
He encouraged fledgling faith. Jesus appeared to hundreds of bewildered followers, all of whom were shocked to see him. Though he had promised he would rise on the third day, not a soul was on the lookout. But he didn’t hold their doubt against them. In his interaction with the immortalized skeptic, Thomas, we learn that great faith is not needed. He wasn’t put off by Thomas’ mustard seed, but simply watered it. “Reach here your hand and put it into my side. Be not unbelieving but believing” (John 20:27). God can do a lot with a little. Two millennia later we can sincerely pray, “We do believe. Help our unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
He illumined the Old Testament Scriptures, which had been about him all along. The downcast pair on the road to Emmaus marveled at how their hearts burned within them as they walked alongside the Stranger. Patiently Christ helped them understand all he had fulfilled. He spoke plainly, no longer in parables but “opened the Scriptures” to them (Luke 24:32). If those who walked with him in the flesh couldn’t understand his word without supernatural help, neither can we. No one comes to faith through their own brilliance – the gospel is foolishness without divine, personal revelation.
He restored sinners. A wretched Peter, sick with grief over his cowardice on the eve of Jesus’ suffering, was undoubtedly a little unsure of where things stood now that his king was alive. Christ took the initiative, beckoning Peter from his misery to breakfast on the beach. He tenderly drew the dejected disciple out of his guilt, prompting him to reaffirm his devotion. Jesus forgave and restored, establishing Peter as the chief apostle of the infant church (John 21). He reminds us that God’s mercy is stronger than our greatest sin.
Lastly, Jesus assured his disciples that they wouldn’t be left as orphans at his departure, but that he would send the mighty Holy Spirit to indwell and accompany all who believe. He promised what they needed most – a Helper; a Comforter; Confidence to proclaim the newborn gospel. He ordered them to stay in Jerusalem until he would “clothe them with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). He offers that same garment of overcoming power to us today. Clothe us, Lord Jesus, to experience and proclaim that You are still in operation today. You are risen indeed!
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VSabrinaisitor
Thanks again Sara
Thanks again Sara for the insight as well, biblical truth reminders bringing to life His story on earth on Easter.
I love the point that the gospel is foolishness without divine revelation. This explains a lot.
Sara Alexander
1 Corinthians 1
Sabrina, that comes from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and yes it does explain a lot!
Angela Barbee
Awesome Sara!!! Awesome!!!
Awesome Sara!!! Awesome!!!
Gay
Life after the grave
Sara what a glorious picture you have painted of what life after the grave can look like! We all have grave experiences of hurts, disappointments, trama, loss, abuse and personal failures. When we experience rresurrection from them, life is never the same again. We are freed from the need to prove ourself, we become overjoyed at the sight of Him, we have tremendous joy in His presence, He calls us into belief where doubt has reigned, divine revelation is our communucation, we finally get it that His grace is stronger than our sin and the most amazing of all is that He comes and dwells in us! Christ resurrection was the turning point in history and so it is with us. His resurrection power is the turning point in our lives, not just once but over and over again as we experience rising from our graves. thank you for reminding us!