Apr. 11, 2012

Luke 24:9-12

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joann, May the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

I just have to say it. The disciples didn’t listen to the women. What has changed in the last 2,000 years? (Sorry guys as I offended you.)

Who do we listen to? When your doctor makes a clear suggestion, do you listen? When your child or grandchild pleads with you, do you listen? When your significant other shares some seemingly important information to them, does it do more than roll out the other ear?

Peter makes an effort. He is curious enough that he checks out the tomb. He doesn’t quite believe the women but he sees for himself the empty tomb. The whole situation just doesn’t make sense to him.

When a trial happens, witnesses are often the key players. Verifying a story or providing observed information is huge. We have women who witnessed something and yet the people most likely to believe them don’t believe them. How would that make you feel?

The Apostle Paul writes that over 500 people witnessed the risen Christ. If you have ever felt a small warming in your heart in God’s presence, you have witnessed the risen Christ. If someone you know professes to have witnessed the risen Christ in their lives, they are a witness. We can rattle off many, many significant historical and contemporary witnesses to the risen Christ. Yet, so many people don’t trust the Bible or are not sure if there was a Christ, a Messiah who came to this earth, who lived and died and came back to life. At some point, we will each decide whether we trust the witnesses we are aware of or whether we will think their words are full of nonsense.

If you are skeptical of the whole resurrection, you are in good company. Thomas, one of the 12 disciples, said he would not believe unless he was able to touch and see the risen Savior. Problem with this is we physically can’t touch and see Jesus since he has ascended into heaven.

There is another reason I believe the women’s witnesses. I don’t want evil, suffering and tragedy to have the last word. I want to have hope in something more, something beyond this world. I want this story to be real because I don’t want evil to have the last word.

Do I really believe this story? You bet. In fact, I’m counting on it being true. I’m counting on there being something beyond this world, an eternal place for my soul to worship God forever. That’s my witnesses and I’m sticking to it!

Let us pray: I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today. I know that he is living, whatever foes may say. I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer. And just the time I need him, he’s always hear. He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, he lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.  Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne