Thoughts for the Day

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

As human beings we learn things in many ways - by using our eyes, our hearing, our experience, or by doing something. The best way to learn is to use more than one of these things. So we can look at a traditional palm cross, but not see how it's made. We can watch how it's being made and feel we understand how to take a palm and twist it into a cross, but ultimately we need to try and make one - to actually create a palm cross. If you don't believe me undo the cross you received last week in church and try and remake it!

How does all this apply to Easter? Well notice how the women who have gone to anoint the body of Jesus immediately go to the disciples to tell them of their experience at the tomb - of how they were met by two men in 'dazzling clothes' who told them that Jesus had risen. But their account is treated as an idle tale and is not believed. It's only when Peter actually goes to the tomb, finds the stone rolled away, and the grave clothes discarded that he begins to put together what he has heard and seen. Add this to his memory of Jesus' words that He would rise on the third day, and he finally begins to believe.

If the disciples don't initially believe in the Resurrection of Jesus, how much harder is it for us! However, we do have the experience of centuries of Christians, who have lived faithful lives, and witnessed the power of God in their lives. Often we can also see that power in our own lives - look back and see what God has done in your life already. Then take a step forward knowing that the risen Christ is with You today!

Risen Christ,
You defeated death and hell,
to rise from the dead,
in accordance with God's promise
that through Your death
You would draw all people to You.
Strengthen our faith that because
of the sacrificial offering of Your life
we can be made whole and perfect
and offered eternal life.
Help us to step forward in complete faith
in the knowledge that we are Your children
called to take Your message of love
to the world.
Amen.