Easter: it’s your story, too.
“But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.” Mark 16:4
The emphasis on Easter Sunday is on Jesus, or is it?
In the Gospel of Mark, the story doesn’t end with Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome arriving at dark with burial spices only to be shocked and horrified that the very large stone had been rolled away and their beloved Jesus gone! His body stolen! No, the story continues. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene after the empty tomb scene. That same day, that first Easter Sunday, Jesus also travels with two of His followers walking from Jerusalem. Later that night, Jesus appears to Thomas and the remaining disciples who were eating together.
Isn’t Easter’s BIG ending Jesus’ resurrection? Jesus is risen from the dead. The end. Isn’t this how it goes?
Maybe. But I don’t think so.
Those Jesus visited that day were in great distress. (That’s an understatement.) He knew of their intense heartbreak, their harrowing grief, and the residual fear they still experienced from their very visceral, way-too-close-to-the-scene account of the hours leading up to and then through His crucifixion.
Listen. Maybe Easter is as much about you as it is about Jesus. It is true that Jesus was literally in hell for three days. This is also true. Those around the sudden, tragic death of a loved one say this: they experience hell on earth.
I am not taking away from Jesus’ story; I am adding to it. Consider the end of this gospel and what our Savior wants you to hear: Easter isn’t a spectator sport. Your story isn’t over.
As Jesus spent time with those I mentioned, He desires to do the same for us. Like Jesus, this gospel lives. How? He is with you. He gets your hurt. He feels your pain. He understands your questions. He also weeps when you weep.
But of all the things I just mentioned, what Jesus does best is bring you back to life from loss. His story is not over. In fact, it’s far from ending because He has work to do in you.
Let Him do it.
Prayer:
Jesus, join me. Let’s live today.
Amen.
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