(Read Matthew 28:1-10)
On at least three occasions, Jesus forewarned His disciples of His impending suffering and death. With each warning He also gave the certain promise of His resurrection. In Matthew 16:21, for example, Jesus explained that He “must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (NIV84)
Yet, as the first Easter dawned, the disciples were not anticipating their living Lord but mourning a dead Savior. The women who hurried to the tomb wondered, “Who will roll the stone away?” (Mark 16:3 NIV84) Mary Magdalene thought the risen Jesus was a cemetery caretaker. Peter and John associated the empty tomb with body theft instead of bodily resurrection. Thomas insisted, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it.” (John 20:25 NIV84) At least Thomas was an honest doubter.
It’s easy to fault these disciples. “You should have known better, Peter.” “You should have trusted more Thomas.” Yet, we have the certain words of Scripture too. Why, then, do we act so hopelessly at times? When we live in fear and despair, are we not acting as if Jesus were still dead and buried instead of living and reigning?
Caravaggio – The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
However, when the disciples realized that Jesus had risen from death, everything changed. Fear became confidence; sorrow, laughter; despair, hope. Thomas went from saying, “I will not believe it” to “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NIV) Peter, who in fear denied knowing Christ, came to boldly proclaim Christ in the very city in which Jesus was crucified. And when you and I encounter the risen Lord through faith, our lives must drastically change too.
One such change is mentioned twice in Matthew 28: “Do not be afraid.” (verse 5, 10) Afraid of what? Anything, though at Easter a natural application is the fear of death. Certainly, no one wants to die. Yet, when the time of our death comes, we can face it with absolute confidence. Why? Because the resurrection of Jesus changed everything. Jesus said at a funeral, John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” (NIV84) And then, to prove the truthfulness of His words, Jesus stepped to the tomb of dead-and-buried Lazarus and cried out with a loud voice: “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43 NKJV) And at the power of Christ’s word, Lazarus did.
The fact of Christ’s resurrection is proclaimed throughout the Bible. Yet, dear reader, let’s not fail to apply that glorious fact to our everyday lives and problems. So, say with me, “I used to fear death, but then the resurrection of Jesus changed everything. I used to grieve hopelessly, but then the resurrection of Jesus changed everything. I used to think my relationships were too troubled to repair, but then the resurrection of Jesus changed everything.
“I used to feel utterly alone, but then the resurrection of Jesus changed everything. I used to wonder if God could really forgive all my sins, but then the resurrection of Jesus changed everything. I used to worry that God might not keep His promises to me, but then the resurrection of Jesus changed everything. I used to feel hopeless because of my illness or financial situation or doubts, but then the resurrection of Jesus changed everything.“ This is what it means to apply the resurrection of Jesus to our daily lives. Jesus Christ is alive.
And His resurrection changes everything.
is a professor at Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.