This Easter weekend, David Millington from East Leake has shared some thoughts on the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
RESURRECTION REMINDERS
Reading: Matthew 28
I am amazed how well-known passages from God’s Word have a practical and spiritual word for us today. Let us focus briefly on verses 5, 6 & 7 from Matthew’s account. Here are some points to ponder and lift us up from the doldrums of despair.
A Personal Word of Transformation
‘But the angel said to the women.’ In the Bible, that little word, ‘But’, always changes the situation (eg 1 Cor 15 v.10; I John 4 v. 10; Romans 6 v.23)
A Personal Word of Appreciation
‘Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.’
At this epoch-making time in world history we see that God, through His ministering angel, has time for these ordinary women. He understands and undertakes to speak to them – and us. He is concerned, compassionate and caring. (Read Matthew 11 v. 28-29, Luke 12 v.28)
And the angel goes on to say: ‘He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!’ Here is a much-needed word to remind them, and us, that God keeps His promises. How often you and I need that reminder, both personally (Hebrews 13 v.5) and prophetically (1 Cor 15 v.3-4)
A Word of Personal Invitation
“Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.’”
Invitations can be accepted or rejected. The women’s doubts are dismissed by accepting the invitation of inspection. There are many personal invitations in God’s Word which can be accepted or rejected, with resulting consequences. (John 1 v.12)
A Personal Word of Expectation And Anticipation
“‘There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”
Here is excitement, replacing disappointment; hope replacing hopelessness; and gladness replacing sadness. Here is a word that is personal, ‘YOU’, and positive, ‘WILL’ see ‘HIM’, the real Jesus, the risen Saviour, their Saviour. That is the great expectation and anticipation of all those who are His forgiven followers. One day our faith will become fact when we see the risen, ascended Jesus face-to-face for eternity. The old hymn puts it well: ‘The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus, a pardon receives.’
As those in Yorkshire would say, “Eh, it’s better felt than tell’t”
You can listen to the well-known Easter hymn, ‘Christ the Lord is Risen Today’ on Youtube:
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