Joy in the Resurrection

“Joy in the Resurrection”

John 20: 18

            On the first day of the week Mary went early to the tomb with tears in her eyes with grief in her heart and worry in her mind.  She had tears because the one who was her teacher had died a cruel death on a cross. She was grieving because he had suffered so much as he died. She was worried because she did not know how she would be able to get into the tomb where his body lay to pour spices and creams on his body as was custom of her faith. A huge stone covered the entrance to the tomb.

            But then she arrived at the tomb—the stone was rolled away. She went to tell this to the disciples and they returned with her to check out the situation. They went into the tomb and saw linens where his body was placed. They left. She went in and saw angels who spoke with her about Jesus. And as she was crying again outside of the tomb she saw a man who was tending to the garden. She spoke to him not realizing who he was. But when He spoke her name, her tears were filled with joy, her grief was gone and her worry was to bring Him to the disciples. But she was filled with joy- Jesus was and is alive!

            What good news to share with the disciples.. I have seen the Lord.

            If we truly believe and have faith, we should be jumping up and down, smiling ear to ear and feeling the joy of Christ within us. But do we really feel this way about Jesus’ resurrection? Do we really have joy in Jesus’ resurrection story? Do we know the Risen Christ who brings us this joy?

            Easter is not just one day in our church year; it is a season lasting until Pentecost. But as Christians we actually celebrate Christ’s resurrection each time we worship together on a Sunday morning- we proclaim again and again- we are an Easter people because of the joy we have in knowing Jesus is alive. How do you share your Easter joy? And does it last more than a day or two?

            How do you share the joy of Jesus’ resurrection? Do you greet others with a smile? Do you have Christ’s Spirit flow to and from you with peace and love for others? Do you reach out and just smile and invite others to do the same?
            Mary responded to her name with such joy in knowing that Jesus was alive she wanted to hold on to him. But he said not to. She had to tell the disciples that He was/is alive. She had the joy of Christ because she believed in Christ’s resurrection. Do you?

PRAYER

Help us O God to truly understand the meaning behind Jesus’ resurrection. Help us to have the joy of Mary as she saw him alive and talking with her. Help us to experience this joy and then be able to share it. We ask in the name of the Risen Christ. Amen.

           

BLOG QUESTION:

Do you believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus? This is a question that is highly debated and discussed and asks us whether Christ rose from death—bodily.
The Shroud of Turin is considered as the linen cloth Jesus left in the tomb separated from the other linen cloths after he rose from death. But simply we must ask- did Jesus physically rise from death= yes or no. And does this question matter if we truly have faith in Jesus fulfilling God’s promise of a Saviour? Is it necessary to our faith that Jesus rose from death and was physically seen by the disciples?