22 April 2019 - death could not hold him

Today's Readings

(Audio)

You are to say,
‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’

They had to have a story because the tomb was empty. If they themselves could just go to the tomb and produce a body they would have had no need of a story. As it was, they needed to make up a story to explain the empty tomb from which no body could be produced to end the debate.

The body stolen, or moved by the gardener, or otherwise simply moved but still dead was the normal explanation to which anyone would reach. Even those who wished Jesus had not died did not imagine what had actually happened until they encountered him.

And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.

Only as Jesus revealed himself and all that Scripture said about him did the disciples begin to understand what actually was the case.

But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.

The Cross, which seemed like a failure, was part of "the set plan and foreknowledge of God". Jesus spoke of the resurrection before he died. But even then his disciples did not understand. They thought, at times, he was speaking of the resurrection of all of Israel on the last day. When Lazarus was raised Jesus showed himself to be the resurrection and the life. But even so, when he died it seemed as though death had won. That continued to be the case until he encountered the disciples. He met them in his risen flesh and revealed himself to them.

God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses.

It is so for us as well. We've heard much. But it still often seems like death is winning. We need a new encounter with the resurrected Christ. He goes before us to Galilee this morning. Let us go and see him, resplendent, risen, and victorious. He will change our hearts to make us his witnesses. He will prepare us to receive more of the promise of the Holy Spirit.

I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.