8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me." The women had a task - to tell the disciples, but Jesus gave them a higher task - to rejoice, and they responded in worship. I guess that sometimes we get so intent on doing what we think we're supposed to do that we don't respond correctly when God calls us to stop and worship. He is the One who will change our course, to alter our perspective, and to get us focused on what is truly important in life. And, on this day after Easter, we can be challenged to look in the right direction, seek for Jesus, and follow Him more wholeheartedly as we reflect on what He has done for us through His death and resurrection.++++The props have been stored away or discarded after the Easter presentations, the alarm clocks may have gone off a bit later this morning after the early wake-up call yesterday to attend an Easter sunrise service, and the flurry of befuddled articles continues about "The Bible" miniseries, which concluded last night and will be released on DVD tomorrow.
Easter has come and gone - and what did you learn? What did you experience?
There were several stirring moments on my Easter Sunday. Because I attended multiple services, I had the chance to hear a variety of messages. One was from Luke 24, about how Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after the resurrection - I'm reminded that Jesus explained who He was and brought clarity to what had been a confusing situation. I heard a message from the Easter story account in Matthew chapter 28, which tells of the women who went to the tomb early that morning following the resurrection. Verse 7 says:
Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
Jesus had already gone ahead - and the challenge for us is to recognize that He has done so, and that we are called to follow Him - confidently, in faith.
At the sunrise yesterday, there was a mention of those that came and beheld the empty tomb - in a sense, they were looking in the wrong direction - looking back at where Jesus was, instead of concentrating where He was going or where He had gone. This was another reference to perspective, or direction - and I think it can be instructive for us: so often we concentrate on what has been, without looking to Jesus and where He is taking us. We need to change our course sometimes.
One of my vivid memories from yesterday took place at the end of the sunrise service - as those gathered on that sparkling, rain-free morning joined our voices together to sing the final strains of "Because He Lives", another voice joined the chorus - it rang out clearly, and with great volume. And, those of us who were leading the singing that morning began to look around and look up. For at the top of the building adjacent to the service site, a small bird was belting out a lyrical song that seemed to overpower what we humans were conjuring up. It was a reminder to me that creation indeed testifies to the glory of God, and that our creator God, who raised his Son from the dead and has given us new life in Him, is pleased with our praises.
Psalm 96 says:
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord. 13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth. Our response to God our Creator and God our Redeemer is to offer Him worship and honor, with which He is pleased!
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