There was this awesome Easter cartoon I saw – I cannot post
as I don’t have the rights, but it can be found on this site.
It shows Jesus walking out of the tomb right into a paparazzi of disciples holding mobile phones taking footage of the event.
Of
course it is ridiculous because the mobile phone wasn’t invented in 33AD, but
after having chuckled I thought about the depicted scene a bit more.
Why weren’t the disciples waiting in anticipation to see Jesus walk out of the tomb?
I combed through the Gospels and turned up all the things
Jesus had said to his disciples during those years he walked closely with them.
Matthew recorded that Jesus said he would be crucified and that he would rise
again on the third day no less than six times, not including the Last Supper.
Considering the miracles the disciples had seen, and all the
strange things Jesus had said about being the Messiah and Saviour of the World,
it would be reasonable to expect that they might have been camped there, ready
for the action on resurrection morning.
What happened?
Half of them were in
hiding, and the women who did come to the tomb early in the morning weren’t
there with mobile phones in anticipation. They’d come in mourning, with spices
to anoint Jesus’ body.
How are we like this today? If there is a new announcement
about a new iPhone being released, people will camp outside the store ready to
be first. There is more faith in Apple than there is in the words of Christ.
Jesus said many amazing things during his life on earth,
including that he had come to save the world, and that whoever believed in Him
would have eternal life.
On Resurrection morning, Peter was hiding, ashamed of what
he had done. He had boasted of his commitment to the cause, yet had denied
Christ at the first sign of pressure.
Judas had misbelieved, lost hope and when he was at that
point of despair, he made an irreversible decision. He’d got caught up with
the idea of making money. He believed and followed Jesus, but had his eye on
the opportunity to build his wealth.
John and the others
were disillusioned and bewildered. John had been caught up with the position he
thought was his due in the coming kingdom. Then when Christ was crucified (as
predicted) everything fell apart. What happened to the kingdom and the
position? Had they just wasted three years of their life following a circus?
Mary was grieving, believing she had lost the one man who
had believed in her and forgiven her.
None of them expected the promise to still be on track—poised and waiting to break forth.
What do you think Jesus meant when he talked about
overcoming the world? Where are you situated this coming Easter? Are you poised
with your mobile phone ready to record the miracle?
I have promises from God that have come by Scripture and
prophecy, and some of those promises look impossible, right at this moment. But
this Easter, I’m going to be facing the tomb—my disappointment—and I am going
to be waiting for the Saviour to break forth in victory. I don’t want someone
to have to come after me in hiding to say, guess what? He did what he said he
would do!
There is a song I heard on the sound track of the movie, Fire
Proof called ‘While I’m Waiting’.
While I’m waiting, I will serve you, while I’m waiting, I will worship.
Let me add to those lyrics: While I’m waiting, I will watch
for the victory.
We could ask the question of the disciples and followers of
Christ: What did you think Jesus meant when he said all these things?
We could ask the same question of ourselves.
What did you think he meant?
While you are waiting, serve and worship.
You are writers, and even while you’re waiting for an
international break through, you can always serve and you can always worship.
Serve with your ability to communicate with others, and worship the same way.
God Bless you this Easter
Meredith Resce
President of Omega Writers Australasia
Author of the ‘The Heart of Green Valley’ series, and many
other titles including ‘Falling for Maddie Grace’.
