I was reading the various gospel accounts of the resurrection today. A few observations:
Matthew tells us that the angel said to the women who went to the tomb on Sunday morning, “Do not be afraid…”
A few verses later, it says:
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy and ran to tell the disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid…”
The angel had a message from God, which included, “Do not be afraid…” They were afraid anyway. Perfectly understandable, right? They’d just seen an angel. And he’d spoken to them.
When they see Jesus though, he says it again, “Do not be afraid…”
Are you afraid of something today? His words apply to you and me, too. “Do not be afraid.”
When the disciples went to Galilee to meet Jesus after He’d risen, Matthew records for us that, “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”
Really? Some doubted?
They saw him crucified. They saw him alive again. But some doubted?
Do you doubt sometimes? Do you wonder if Jesus will come through for you? You’re in good company. Just don’t be content to continue in your doubt. Press on. Keep seeking him. Choose to believe him.
In the gospel of Mark, we again hear the angel speaking to the women who have come to the tomb. The angel says, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter.”
And Peter. Interesting, huh?
A few days earlier, Peter had denied he even knew Jesus. And now the angel is making it clear to the women that Peter, in particular, is to be told that Jesus is going to appear to them in Galilee.
Put yourself in Peter’s position. You failed Jesus. In a big way. Now the women have just come from the tomb and are reporting what they’ve just seen and heard. Maybe one of the women said, “Peter, the angel mentioned you by name. He said to tell you that you’ll see Jesus in Galilee.”
Maybe it’s not hard for you to put yourself in Peter’s shoes. You feel like you’ve let Jesus down. You had an opportunity to speak up for him, but didn’t. You committed the same old sin again. For about the thousandth time. Or it’s been a week…or month…or longer since you’ve even talked with Him.
Know this: Jesus is not focused on your failure. He’s calling you by name to come be with him.
Luke tells us about two men on their way to the town of Emmaus. As they’re walking, Jesus joins them, but they are kept from recognizing him. As they tell him all that has happened in recent days, He replies, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
I wonder if Jesus would have the same thing to say to me, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe…”
I’ve experienced his power, his grace, his faithfulness…and yet I’m often slow of heart to believe. How about you?
In John 20, I think we see some evidence that the apostle John was a competitive guy. He tells us, “So Peter and the other disciple [speaking of himself] started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.”
Not significant, but I wonder how often John reminded Peter that he outran him to the tomb. I’ll bet it was more than once. Maybe as often as the story was told.
Finally, John records that Jesus had appeared to the all of the disciples except Thomas who just wasn’t there the first time Jesus showed up. A week goes before before he appears again to all eleven of them. Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
“Stop doubting and believe.”
Those don’t sound like angry or disappointed words. I imagine Jesus looking Thomas in the eyes and lovingly saying, “Stop doubting and believe.”
Are you afraid? Are you doubting? Are you slow to believe?
Jesus still wants you.