(Further reflections on "Trembling & Astonishment"--Sunday 31-Mar-2024)
The absence of Jesus’ body in the "maximum security" tomb that is sealed by a large stone certainly alarmed three women who wanted to do what was best for their Lord at the time, that is, to anoint Him with spices (Mark 16:1). Little did they know that they were about to hear the best and affirming news ever. “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” (Mark 1:6-7)
The news communicated a few implications:
(1.) Don’t be alarmed by bad or shocking news
(2.) Seeking past losses or hurts or pains is a waste of time and not wise. Why? Because Jesus is alive, right here and right now. He is not going back to your “tomb” that holds you in spiritual death conditions.
(3.) Do not go back to the “religious center” (Jerusalem), but move to the “mission field” (Galilee), where Jesus had gone ahead to wait for those who believe in the “resurrection” news.
(4.) Those who heard the news and believed, they will hear Jesus’ calling/charge, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
(5.) Those who are living out the great commission are assured, “Whoever believes and is baptized [in Jesus] will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16). The message is clear. Christ’s followers are not responsible for anyone’s salvation. Each hearer needs to respond to the news individually. Thus, those who proclaim the message will never fail because it has never been about them but Jesus. All they need to do is to believe the news; go and tell others what they heard and encountered; and to meet the Lord in “Galilee," where fishermen turned into "fishers of men." The great news in "Jerusalem" had turned into the great commission in "Galilee." And hearers are called and charged.
Now what? How will the above implications make a difference in your life? In what way, are you willing to adjust your lifestyle? The Lord Jesus is waiting for you in "Galilee." Will you see Him there?
—
Pastor Lap
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