On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. ~ Luke 23:56b-24:11 (12) "That will never happen." "I doubt it." "It will never work." How many of us have either said or heard these words in our lifetime? While the disciples saw some pretty amazing things when Jesus was alive, the whole idea that Jesus himself would rise from the grave had to seem like an amazing tale. In fact, even today's gospel writer refers to it as an "idle tale." Our ability to grasp what God has done sometimes takes us by surprise. While onlookers are ready to cast doubt, or surround you with unbelief statements, God just goes on ahead and performs a miracle. There have been many times while serving as a chaplain in the hospital that a diagnosis suddenly changes. Even my own doctor realized at some point that the "cell anomaly" was a "M I R A C L E." I always find it interesting that when the women go and tell those present back at home that Jesus is gone, that only one of the disciples, Peter, runs to see for himself. It's liken to the time that Jesus heals the lepers and only one returns to say "thank you." It's not that God isn't making things happen. It's simply the fact that we tend to forget when something does happen, that God is making it happen! When we pray for a miracle. Expect a miracle! While it may not always be exactly what we hoped, if you have offered it up to God with your whole heart, then God is part of it! We forget that when we talk to God, or ask God for something, God is listening! Always! And it is not selective hearing! The omnipotent presence of God places God with you at all times. The realization of that presence, and the ability for God to know what we are thinking, hoping and praying for all coincide with that relationship! I don't know about you, but I think I would have raced Peter to the tomb that morning. Of course I was not there, but I am present today, and it is today that I will seek those moments when I can say without a doubt that God did THIS! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to proclaim the things that You are doing in my life! Thank You! Amen! Comments are closed.
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AuthorRev. G. Todd Williams is the author of the book, "Remember Me When..." and is a former hospice chaplain and pastor. Archives
February 2024
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