Resurrection Day Reflections

It’s easy on this side of the resurrection to look at the disbelief among those who followed Christ and think, “how could they miss it?” I mean, they had all they needed, Jesus, the very Son of God, told them that he was the fulfillment of all of the Old Testament prophesy. And yet, it took them a little while to come around.

In Luke 24:1-12, the two men who appeared to Mary the mother of James and Mary Magdalene had to remind them: “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of God and must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’ And they remembered his words.”

I find their delayed memory very comforting. How often do I, having heard the promises of God, live in unbelief that he will really do what he says he will. The women in this passage really aren’t that different than me. This was a serious trial for them. Their leader was dead. They watched him die. And in this moment, when he is suddenly not in his tomb, they needed a jolt in their memory.

We aren’t that different really. In the moment of trial and tragedy it is easy in our sorrow to forget that God has promised to always work for our good (Romans 8:28). That is one of the many things the resurrection accomplishes for us—to complete what was promised and provide hope for our futures.

One of the blessings of having God’s word is knowing that the struggles of believers back then are no different than the struggles we face today. The women outside Jesus’ tomb needed to be reminded of God’s promises, as we do today. But praise God that the faithfulness and reliability of God’s word is not contingent on whether I believe in those promises in every moment.

Let us believe and proclaim with our sisters who have come before us. He has risen! He has risen indeed. He has and will accomplish all that was promised. This is hopeful news.