He Told Them... They Told Us

“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.’”
Matthew 28:5-6

Have you ever wished that you had been there? Drinking the water that had been turned to wine, witnessing Lazarus walking from his tomb, in the crowd fed with a few loaves and some fish, on the mountain where Jesus met with Moses and Elijah, at the empty tomb on the first day of the week. Have you ever wondered they – the apostles and other disciples – they were there and they didn’t get it. The angel had to remind them that Jesus had told them what was going to happen. I have wished and wondered those things and then this thought occurred to me.

I wonder if the apostles and all the other heroes of faith are in heaven watching us and thinking. They – us that is us – they have all our stories; they know what happened and what will happen. They have experienced their own miracles, why don’t they get it? Why do they still doubt? Why do they have to be reminded what Jesus told them?

I began to think what is it that links us with them why even when we know the truth do we doubt, do we have to be reminded? From Noah to now we are all human, even when we know the plan we still have to make the journey one step at a time without being able to see the end. Our minds cannot truly comprehend the greatness of God and so we often suffer from a kind of spiritual Alzheimer’s. Noah knew the plan… but had never experienced rain, Abraham moved to a new land without knowing where he was really going. The disciples followed not clearly understanding what was happening and the Apostles helped to change the world not truly comprehending the effect they would have. We do our best to remember the stories but we too must walk by faith and not sight. We – like those who have gone before do not really understand all that we will do in the name of Jesus and we cannot see where we are going. So we like them doubt and need to be reminded.

Here is the best part – Jesus doesn’t mind sending us reminders because when the light goes on we worship authentically with our whole lives and the people around us are changed as well.

He is not here. He has risen – just as He said. HE is Risen indeed.

A prayer
Father – Thank you for the daily reminders that you have a plan, that You desire good things for Your people. Thank you for being patient with us when we doubt and grumble. Forgive our unbelief. Grant us the faith we need to take the next step – to stay the course, so that like those who have gone before we too will one day see Your face and fully understand. In the name of Jesus Amen.