Stunning News!
I have heard news that seemed unbelievable. I’ve heard news that simply stunned me. I heard news that was worth celebrating for sure. I’ve also heard news that I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I remember where I was and what I was doing when I’ve heard some stunning news. I remember where I was when the Challenger fell out of the sky. I remember where I was when 9/11 occurred. Those events are big and stunning. Even when the “dust clears” and investigations are completed, it’s a bit surreal.
I think the women who were followers of Jesus had one of those surreal moments upon His death. They were there at the cross and saw Him die. They grieved over the Sabbath but had a plan to care for His body. Check this out…..
1Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body.2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. (Mark 16:1-8 NLT)
I love the heart of these women. They loved Jesus and it showed. I love that the stunning news of Jesus’ resurrection was first told to the women. I also love that the angel told the women to tell the disciples, including Peter.
I’m reminded that when I hear stunning news that surprises me – God is not surprised.
I believe God can do anything He wants, when He wants – that’s a big reason why I pray. I’ve seen His hand at work. I’ve seen the results of His Power and His Presence. I want Him to be Present in my heart no matter when I received news that stuns me or even stings me. He has my heart, and He will walk me through whatever I face.
Pressing On!
Dwayne