Selected Writings |
| Some thoughts for Easter Strange reports were heard from the city of Jerusalem some two thousand years ago concerning the death, and supposed return to life, of a Jewish insurrectionist known as Jesus Christ. Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of the province of Judea, sentenced this Jesus to death by crucifixion for sketchily reported crimes prosecuted by Jewish authorities. Details of the alleged trial and crime were so slim that Pilate himself wanted nothing to do with the killing. On a Friday afternoon, this Jesus was killed. Well known Jewish leader Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of this itinerant preacher. Along with a Pharisee named Nicodemus, the Arimathean placed the body in a new tomb cut from rock, and sealed its opening with a large round stone. Pilate had heard reports that the followers of Jesus might say that he had risen from the grave, so he placed armed guards around the tomb and sealed the tomb to assure that no one would tamper with the evidence of this man's death. Witnesses say that Mary Magdalene, a former prostitute whose life had been dramatically changed since beginning to follow the man Jesus, along with as many as three other women, went to the tomb early on Sunday morning to properly prepare the body for burial according to Jewish customs. Great concern filled their minds about removing the stone which sealed the tomb. Unusual physical phenomena, including earthquakes and the sightings of more than one angelic messenger, surround the reports of the tomb being miraculously opened, and the body of Jesus Christ being missing. Deciphering the exact events of the next few hours is not easy. Various perspectives and the difficulties of factual integrity have led to four different stories with one common theme: This Jesus was dead, and now He is alive. Mark, the first to write these facts down, reports that Mary Magdalene and two other women upon their arrival at the tomb, found the stone already removed. A young man brilliantly arrayed in dashing white clothes told them Christ had risen from the grave. When the women left, they were so scared they told no one at first. Matthew, another recorder of these incidents, reports that when Mary and another woman arrived, an earthquake had occurred and an angelic messenger was sitting on the stone which had sealed the tomb. The message of the angel to the women was the same, Jesus is alive. After leaving the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, the women met Jesus Himself, hugged Him, and worshipped Him. Jewish officials bribed the guards who had seen the whole thing, telling them to keep this story to themselves. Still another recorder, a medical doctor named Luke, states that when Mary and the other women found the empty tomb, they immediately told Peter and the other closest followers of Jesus. Peter ran to the tomb, saw the evidence for himself, and wondered what these things meant. Later Jesus appeared to two of his disciples as they walked along the road. Still later, he appeared to all of His disciples. Finally John, one of those men closest to Jesus, reports that upon hearing from Mary Magdalene the news of Christ's resurrection, he and Peter ran to the tomb. John outran Peter, and stood at the open entrance panting. When Peter arrived, he rushed headlong into the tomb, saw the evidence, and believed. Mary followed along, and stood at the entrance of the tomb crying. When she peered into the tomb, there were two angels there who comforted her and encouraged her not to cry. Hearing someone ask her why she was crying, she turned and saw Jesus for herself. Perhaps the most important question regarding these facts is, what do they mean for you and me, living on the edge of the twenty-first century? They mean that you and I today can be resurrected from spiritual death to real life, life the way God intends, today. These facts prove that man has majesty. God's very best was shown to you and me. Life has meaning for today. For direct personal experience with this one who rose from the grave, and wants to change your life, attend the church of your choice this Sunday. Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And in celebrating His life, we find meaning for ours. |