Resurrection Sunday

On Resurrection Sunday something happened that was not just amazing or significant—but something revolutionary that changes the entire basis and future of our world! You and I cannot approach this objective resurrection event as objective observers. Its reality must strike us to the core of our lives that can never be the same—if we manage to recognize it for what it is and what it means and live in the light of that reality.

Let’s look at what happened in this passage and compare our resurrection responses to those of its original witnesses—the faithful women followers of Jesus who stayed faithful to him even past the point of his death! When the lightening-faced angel dressed in bright white spoke to them, they were afraid. We would all do well to have some godly fear in the face of resurrection’s dynamic, disruptive reality. I tremble when I see how we today have replaced a response of awed fear with fecund bunnies and hard-boiled eggs. What a travesty! Where in hell did this change toward a tame, lame resurrection come from? If you and I do not tremble with godly fear and awe at this event that literally shook the world with an earthquake, we have missed its reality. It is time for us to recognize resurrection’s revolutionary reality and realize that this is the greatest thing that ever happened in the history of fallen humanity that caused a fallen world. For here we find hope.

Those women found great hope! After looking at the empty place where Jesus had lain, their fear remained, but joy was now added! The resurrection of Jesus is not only awesome; it gives hope to dead lives and a dead world; it gives JOY to those who understand it and receive it. We sometimes lose our joy in the midst of life’s events. But there is only ONE event on which to base a joy that can never be shaken or taken, and that is the resurrection of Jesus, and if your joy is based on that, you can never lose it.

I invite you today to consider to the depths of your soul how resurrection changes everything for the better including every detail of your life. Let that reality infuse your heart and life. Never take it lightly. Always take it with godly fear for god’s greatest miracle and your best future. Then let joy fill you; and then, like those ladies, go tell its good news to others!

Prayer

Father, we stand in awe of what you have done in this amazing resurrection of Jesus. We also jump in joy that Jesus’ resurrection is a sure promise of our own, reversing all our limits and sins with heavenly glory that shines upon us even now in the midst of our earthly problems. Oh Lord, please by your Sprit infuse our souls with resurrection glories. Let us each, in the Spirit’s power that raised Christ from the dead, daily live and enjoy resurrection’s reality. And help us, each, in that joy, gladly tell others of all that you have done for us through Jesus’ victory on Resurrection Sunday. This we pray in resurrection hope, in Jesus’ wonderful Name, Amen.

Mark A. Jumper, Ph.D., serves as associate professor and director for Chaplaincy & Military Affairs for the Regent University School of Divinity.