Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Matthew 28:5-7 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
MORE TIME FOR JESUS TO SPEND WITH US
It was hard for the disciples to see their Master lowered into His tomb, but it was also hard for Jesus to be separated from His friends. Think of the way He desired to eat that last Passover with those He loved, and the tender compassion He showed toward His mother while He was on the cross. His departure had a tremendous impact on Him. But now, risen from the dead, all was gladness again because He would have more time to spend with His friends! He looked forward to seeking them out again, standing by them again in their hours of need, and guiding and nurturing them once more.
You can sense how much Jesus wanted to be with His disciples after His resurrection when you hear the words of the angel to the women: "Go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.'" You can feel the eagerness. Jesus wanted His friends to know as soon as possible where they were to meet Him. He wanted to spend time with them again!
Can you imagine such a thing? These were the people who had fallen asleep on Him. They had run away from Him. They had denied Him. Yet He wanted to be with them and He continued to call them His "brothers." He had gone through hell for them and had given His all for them. Now He wanted to speak to them words of forgiveness and restoration. He had bought them with a price, the price of His own life, and now that He was no longer in the grave, He looked to spend time with them.
Easter gives Jesus more time to spend with you too. Christ, the Son of God, has risen from the dead and wants to walk with you. Think of how privileged you are! He seeks you out to tell you, "Your sins are forgiven. We will never again be separated by death. Neither mine nor yours." He desires to be with you to soothe you with His words, to show you dangers to avoid and to guide you in paths of righteousness, to give you relief in your sorrows, to be your shepherd. He lives today to be with you and to do all these things and more.
