There are events that permanently change our lives, either individually or the world as a whole – the rise and fall of nations and empires, wars, tragedies (both natural and manmade), discovery, invention, art, music, people – but only the life of one person completely altered everything and reset time. It began with a virgin birth in a dirty manger and it transformed eternity, not by scientific method, but by supernatural grace.
Mankind’s original sin ignited a spark that began weaving itself through history like a fuse leading to a keg of dynamite in an old TV western. At the birth of Jesus, the spark began to burn brighter and pressed on with unstoppable focus and determination. The life of Jesus – every step He took, life He touched, miracle He performed, betrayal He suffered, lash of the whip He sustained, strike of the hammer He endured, drop of blood He shed – propelled the spark toward its ultimate conclusion. Then just like on tv, the spark finally reaches the keg of dynamite … AND … there was a pause. In the gospels, this pause is so very important; a lot happens and everything changes.
The world held its breath.
Then, like a tympany building to a grand crescendo, darkness fell over the earth for three tortuous hours before Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and gave up His spirit. In that moment things on earth got crazy. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, symbolizing God granting us direct access to Him through the shed blood of Jesus. The earth shook and the rocks were split. Tombs of multiple holy people were broken open and they were resurrected and appeared to many. Then everything grew ominously still. Those who loved Him wept, while all the vile things of darkness, both visible and hidden, celebrated.
A man who was a follower of Jesus came to take His body and place Him in a tomb he had prepared for himself. His name was Joseph of Arimathea. A man named Joseph was the first man to hold the Christ and a man named Joseph was the last.
Desperation and fear fell over all of those who loved and followed Jesus. We don’t know what happened to Jesus once the tomb was sealed, but there was another long PAUSE.
I imagine Jesus carrying all the sin of
the world upon His scarred shoulders,
standing at the wide open gates of hell
and witnessing the celebration happening
in the abyss. After heaving the sin
into the fiery depths,
He stood staring piercingly at the
stunned and terrified faces of legions
of demons, watching as the realization
of what was happening flooded over them.
Then turning His back, He walked away.
Thankfully, it was only a PAUSE. The tomb had been sealed and was guarded by the Empire’s best soldiers. All was quiet for three days as His followers hid in stunned and terrified silence, unsure of their next steps. Then:
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After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day
of the week, Mary Magdalene and
the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake,
for an angel of the Lord came down
from heaven and, going to the
tomb, rolled back the stone
and sat on it. His appearance was like
lightning, and his clothes were
white as snow. The guards were so afraid
of him that they shook and
became like dead men. The angel said
to the women, “Do not be afraid,
for I know that you are looking
for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; he has risen,
just as he said. Come and 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. There
you will see him.’
Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from
the tomb, afraid yet filled
with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them.
“Greetings,” he said. They came to him,
clasped his feet and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them,
“Do not be afraid.
Go and tell my brothers
to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
(Matthew 28:1-10)
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Now that was a BIG BANG!
I love that Jesus chose to appear to the women
first! If I may take some creative license,
Jesus had just suffered on a magnitude
no one could comprehend and sought
out a moment with those who had faithfully
cared for Him and His disciples,
quietly providing for their needs from
their own resources (Luke 8:1-3). He didn’t
want them to be lost in the sea of
excitement because of their “place” in society
at that time. He loved them and they
were important to Him. It was a brief,
beautiful meeting that is mentioned in
the gospels so that there is no doubt
about the value of these women and
their inclusion in God’s plan.
It was lovely and sweet.
The resurrection of Jesus set into motion a plan that is far beyond our understanding or imagination and it is powerfully driving forward to the return of Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The most important decision we will ever make is to accept by faith the gift of salvation through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. By confessing our sins and asking Jesus to be our Savior and Lord we are adopted into God’s divine plan. Then we can share His love with others so they can also come to know and believe. There is no greater blessing!
____________________
Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given
to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20)
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What a glorious calling! Jesus’ instructions are very clear – go and make disciples of all nations. I know a lot of dear people who are called to the foreign mission field and serve joyfully. I hold these brothers and sisters in the highest regard, but I have not personally felt this calling (yet). I believe our mission field is wherever we are planted and that we are to disciple those around us. Currently, the nations of the world are literally next door and around the block. We simply need to show the love of Jesus to the people by whom we are planted, continuing the ripple effect directly caused by the most important Big Bang of all time.
How exciting to be living in this time between the Big Bang that was the resurrection and the even BIGGER BANG which will be the triumphant Return of Jesus Christ … we are indeed blessed!
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