Tuesday, August 7, 2012
1 Peter 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ...
LIVING HOPE
There were so many things to see that first Easter morning: Soldiers running into town -- women walking out of the city and running back -- Peter and John running out and walking back -- disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, and running back -- Mary Magdalene lingering outside the tomb, then catching her breath and turning to verify with her eyes what her ears had already told her ...
Of course, the greatest event of that day (or any day) was not seen: Jesus rising from death to life! When the soldiers at the tomb ran into town, they knew the grave was vacant, but they had not seen what happened. They ended up testifying that a theft had happened while they were asleep! What had really happened became clear, however, when Jesus was seen by witnesses whom God had already chosen: He had risen from the dead! (Acts 10:41).
But more was brought to life than Jesus' body that day. The shattered hopes of two disciples on the way to Emmaus were also brought to life. Before they knew with whom they were conversing, they told Jesus: "but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." Their hope had died when Jesus yielded up the spirit but was born anew that day when their eyes were opened and they knew Him.
And God, in His great mercy, has also given us new birth into a that sure hope that lives in our hearts today: because He lives, we shall live also ... forever! Amen!
