The disciples had been on a high with Jesus until suddenly, everything changed. Jesus, their friend, and mentor was crucified at the start of Passover. At this point, the disciples fell into a deep, dark place. Everything that they had learned while Jesus was alive came crashing down leaving them discouraged and disheartened. They thought Jesus was meant to set up a kingdom and kick out the Romans, but now He was dead!

The disciples couldn’t see that this was the ultimate contest, a God contest. A lot of people around that time had forgotten about God. They had turned their backs on Him and chosen to ignore what He said. The religious leaders and experts had even turned against God. They were the ones who were instrumental in putting Jesus to death.

The good news for the disciples and for us today, is that this was not the end of the story.  

On the third day after Jesus’ death, Jesus conquered sin and death and rose from the dead. He is alive today!

Many of the disciples were surprised, shocked and even fearful when they saw the empty tomb when they went to visit Jesus’ burial place. They were lost in that past moment of time and couldn’t focus on the fact that Jesus had risen. Even for us, Jesus’ resurrection tends to serve as a historical marker rather than a living sign of our present reality. We remain stuck in our shock and fear trying to make sense of things, that we forget that fact that Jesus did rise from the dead so that we may have life. A life beyond this world! 

Jesus said “I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Let’s not just stand here pondering, shocked and even fearful. Let’s live life like we believe in the resurrection and God’s promise of eternal life.

Choose life, choose Jesus. 

Have a great week, 

Chaplain Phil