The Power of Absence
“Now after the Sabbath toward dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake; an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone….His appearance was like lightening, his raiment was white as snow. The guards trembled and became like dead men. The angel said, ‘Do not be afraid for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified, HE IS NOT HERE! HE IS RISEN!’ ”
Matthew 28:1-6 (selections)
When we lived in England, we made sure to visit Westminster Abbey in London, renowned because it rests the bodies of many English notables. On vacation, we often visit Arlington National Cemetery which is revered as the final resting place for thousands of our American heroes. The pyramids of Egypt are famous because they contained the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian rulers. But at the tomb of Jesus there is no epitaph etched in stone, “Here lies Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.” Jesus’ epitaph is in the words of angels, “He is NOT here!”….“He is risen!”
We want to live. It isn’t normal to wish to die. Death is more than that grand finale to the physical life. We die little deaths along the way, not just the final physical death. Death isn’t just a reality of life…it’s a reality of everyday living. The Risen Lord has defeated death, and He wants to share that power with us.
When we talk with a non-church-goer about participating in church, they are usually quick, and emphatic, to point out the church hypocrites. (There’s always the beloved come-back, “And there’s room for one more!” Or, the lapel button which I love that reads, “Christian Under Construction.”) Across the years church-goers…and church leaders have let us down. These things are true, and we need to be honest enough to admit it. But, as Paul Harvey says, there’s “The rest of the story”: that the focus should be on the Risen Son of God, not the fallen humankind. Every time we lower our sights to focus on people, and to put our hope, and source of happiness, and our sense of worth in a person…we’ll fall short. Jesus Christ is the answer. He has proven He overcomes death…our final physical death, and the many daily deaths like our shortcomings, our anxieties, our insecurities, our sins. Before someone falsely accuses Christ, and His Church, of being invalid, s/he needs to be honest about what they’re focusing on. Christ IS the answer and He will show us day after day after day….if we will let Him.
Blessings Always
in All Ways,
Steve
<><
Matthew 28:1-6 (selections)
When we lived in England, we made sure to visit Westminster Abbey in London, renowned because it rests the bodies of many English notables. On vacation, we often visit Arlington National Cemetery which is revered as the final resting place for thousands of our American heroes. The pyramids of Egypt are famous because they contained the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian rulers. But at the tomb of Jesus there is no epitaph etched in stone, “Here lies Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.” Jesus’ epitaph is in the words of angels, “He is NOT here!”….“He is risen!”
We want to live. It isn’t normal to wish to die. Death is more than that grand finale to the physical life. We die little deaths along the way, not just the final physical death. Death isn’t just a reality of life…it’s a reality of everyday living. The Risen Lord has defeated death, and He wants to share that power with us.
When we talk with a non-church-goer about participating in church, they are usually quick, and emphatic, to point out the church hypocrites. (There’s always the beloved come-back, “And there’s room for one more!” Or, the lapel button which I love that reads, “Christian Under Construction.”) Across the years church-goers…and church leaders have let us down. These things are true, and we need to be honest enough to admit it. But, as Paul Harvey says, there’s “The rest of the story”: that the focus should be on the Risen Son of God, not the fallen humankind. Every time we lower our sights to focus on people, and to put our hope, and source of happiness, and our sense of worth in a person…we’ll fall short. Jesus Christ is the answer. He has proven He overcomes death…our final physical death, and the many daily deaths like our shortcomings, our anxieties, our insecurities, our sins. Before someone falsely accuses Christ, and His Church, of being invalid, s/he needs to be honest about what they’re focusing on. Christ IS the answer and He will show us day after day after day….if we will let Him.
Blessings Always
in All Ways,
Steve
<><
posted by BreadBakers at 12:38 PM
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