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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

We have another cold, cold morning here in Lancaster County!

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"What Seemed Like Nonsense"

"But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense" (Luke 24:11).

Today there are many who consider the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ nonsense. You probably know people who do, and many today are very forthright in their disbelief even mocking those who do believe. C.N Hostetter wrote, "When people have problems with miracles it is not because miracles are unbelievable. The problem is that they have an inadequate view of God."

What is your view of God today? How does this view impact the way you live your life? Do you believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ is nonsense or historical fact?

In the face of so much evidence why did so many of Christ's contemporaries fail to initially believe the resurrection message? More astounding to me is why did the disciples who were so close to Him have such a hard time? They had seen His great miracles many times and had certainly grown in their relationship with Him. During His ministry they had heard Him share repeatedly about His forthcoming death and resurrection. This teaching intensified as Jesus' ministry progressed and is especially prominent during His final time with them prior to His arrest and trial.

Very early on the morning of the third day some of the women had gone to the tomb. They were planning to anoint the body with spices but had a glorious encounter instead! Two men dressed in white first proclaimed the glorious resurrection message, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again'" (Luke 24:5-7). "Then they remembered His words" (Luke 24:8).

"When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others" (Luke 24:9). The disciples were together early that morning. Though it is not written in Scripture they were most likely discussing recent events and considering what the future held for them without their Leader. Upon the arrival of the excited women we would surely expect them to receive the surprising news from the women with great joy and ready belief. After all, they had heard the phrase "and on the third day be raised again" more than once. They should have been jumping up and down, shouting, singing praises and doing high-fives, waking up the neighborhood.

But Luke records their stunning reaction. "But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense" (Luke 24:11). These disciples had worked so closely with Jesus during His earthly ministry yet they did not believe, considering the message of the women "nonsense". Of course each one of the disciples came to believe and went on to serve the risen Lord. Today let us also believe and joyfully serve the risen Lord of the universe!

I know that my Redeemer lives!
What joy this blest assurance gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives my ever-living head!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Jesus, Your mission on earth in obedience to the Father, ultimately led to Your obedience of death on the cross. But on the third day You defied death and rose to life again. Your resurrected body was identified by the nail scars visible in Your hands and Your feet. Nails driven into Your innocent body by our sinful hearts, for when we were dead in our trespasses and sins You died for us, the ungodly. How undeserving we are of Your sacrificial death and the Father's gift of eternal life. With humble hearts we receive this tremendous gift with hearts of gratitude and rejoicing.

Today's music:

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (a rather contemporary arrangement with the words to the classic hymn.) audio

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives" sung by Chinese. audio

Here's another beautiful song with the title, "My Redeemer Lives" audio

Here's yet another version that is quite a toe-tapper! audio

Today's message is sent much earlier than usual as I have a trip to Baltimore.

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