Details matter —  especially in a resurrection

I am so blown away by God’s goodness, and how involved He is with every aspect of our life.

This weekend we celebrate the empty tomb —  I can’t imagine how that felt to the ladies who discovered this miracle … but, I love to try!!!

Ladies, don’t you just love it when something electronic in nature refuses to work until your husband or son comes and tries to help? Then there is nothing in the world wrong! That also goes for stubborn TV remotes, too. I do handle one occasionally. I know where it is kept and I can turn it on, at least!

So I can picture the negative responses when the women went to share the news. “Oh Mary Magdalene, you haven’t had your coffee yet. Slow down and breath!” I’m sure Peter and John thought. Dr. Luke mentioned in 24:11, “But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.”

But just in case … the guys took off running, and John reached the tomb first. He saw the linen wrappings lying there but didn’t go in. (I’m sure the CSI officials were on their way by now.)

I love that John stopped at the entrance and took everything in. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in things, we forget to memorize and notice important details. I remember on our wedding day, my mom took me by the hand and said, “Look closely at your cake. You won’t ‘see’ anything during the reception you’ll be so excited. But look at the beautiful job they did.”

See mom! I did remember —  because you pointed it out and made me notice. So I’m sure the writer in John wanted to freeze that picture in his mind —  remember iPhone cameras didn’t come out till the next year. His little flip phone was so inadequate. 

When Peter arrived, he went inside. He noticed the linen wrappings lying there and the cloth that had covered the face of Jesus was folded up lying apart from the other wrappings.

Then scripture says John went in. He saw. He believed. The disciples didn’t understand when Jesus explained earlier. But He plainly told them he must rise from the dead.

How many times does Jesus have to tell us, “I’ve got this. Be anxious for nothing!” Yet, we don’t understand difficult circumstances and we don’t believe He’s still in control of all the details. I’m so grateful for the faith I demonstrated as a little girl when I put my life in God’s hands and asked Him to forgive me of my sins. That relationship has grown, expanded and developed into more than I ever could have imagined. Start that relationship today … it will be too late when your heart stops beating.

If you remember, Mary Magdalene was a woman of questionable character. Jesus healed her of seven demons. She met Jesus and He changed her life. I think it’s so cool that she was the first one to see Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus loves each one of us equally —  no matter what we’ve done, who we were or how awful we might be tomorrow! Remember that a thief on the cross received salvation right then when he asked. He didn’t have time to find something fancy to wear to church. He didn’t have time to learn how to pray. He didn’t have time to try to be a good person. That thief was dying and he knew there was nothing he could do to earn that salvation. He just accepted. And that’s all any of us have to do. Just accept. Admit that we are sinners and believe that Jesus died that day for us —  me, you! Then tell others the good news.

Later that Sunday evening, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors. They were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Scripture reads, “Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said.” He knew their hearts were beating out of their chests when they saw Him and he wanted to bring comfort. 

Whatever is happening in your life at this time, might not be as earth shattering as a resurrection —  But Jesus is still concerned and cares. Listen to Him tell you today, “Peace be with you.”