Time For God: Day 12

Focus: Psalm 124:8
Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

Reflect:
What happened on that Sunday morning? For believer and skeptic alike, the details seem clear, compelling, and uncomplicated. Yet, their import fills whole libraries.

Two mournful women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, arrive at dawn to see the tomb. An earthquake shakes the earth. An angel appears and rolls the rock away from the tomb’s opening. He then sits down upon it. The tomb lies strangely vacant.

Roman guards, in charge of tomb security, stare at the angel’s countenance (it looked like lightening), gawping at his clothes (they appeared as white as snow). The record shows they “shook for fear …and became like dead men.” What a morning!

Strips of grave cloth can be seen inside. The cloth covering the head of Jesus still lies in its place, separate from the linen. A gardener meets a grief-stricken Mary. She pleads for information, where have you placed the body of my Lord? He speaks, soft and low, in a voice that she profoundly knows. Her fears fade and flee in the face of perfect Love. In an instant, the history of the world, and her world, resets itself.

On Resurrection Day, an angel aptly puts into words events that leave so many speechless. For, this scene recalibrate's planetary history:  “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said”.  And what about the women? They rush away to tell His disciples. Jesus once more greets them: “Rejoice!” They run with fear and great joy bringing the news to their closest friends, and ultimate joy to those whom most they most.

Consider power. Think of the energy released in splitting an atom. It simply pales by comparison to what transpires on that Resurrection Day. Those who witnessed the events are forever changed. Their testimony is about to change the world. Forever!

Consider:
How has Jesus shown up for you in unexpected power? What circumstances confronted you at that time? What was His unique gift to you in those moments? How might your experience serve to encourage another person at this time?

Pray:
Living Lord Jesus, Lover of my Soul, I praise you. I magnify your Holy Name. You have loosed the chains of death and hell. You have conquered our final enemy. May your Resurrection power be seen today by all whom seek Your touch of redeeming love. Master, use even me to bring New Life to the hearts of loved ones, today. Amen.