The Big Finale
I enjoy the big finish. I was thinking of a big fireworks show that have a big finish. I remember some cool fireworks shows that I’ve seen with a big finale. In 1982 the World’s Fair was in Knoxville, TN where I was a student in college. Some friends and I would go down to the river in downtown Knoxville to see the evening fireworks. This show always had a big finish. Several years ago, I took my family to Disney world and we enjoyed the fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The big finish is worth the wait!
I’ve been reading through Mark’s angle on Jesus’ life and ministry. Jesus has been arrested and put on trial for violation of Jewish law. He has just been crucified and buried in a borrowed tomb. The big finale is coming. 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.” (Mark 16:1-7 NLT)
The followers of Jesus were stunned at His death. I can only imagine how defeated they must have felt. I’m also trying to wrap my head around what these ladies must have felt when they were going to treat Jesus’ body only to find Him not there. Not only that, but there was also an angel there to let them know that Jesus is alive.
Jesus changed lives everywhere He went. He healed the sick. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He restored broken lives. He brought life wherever He went. His resurrection was the big finale to His ministry here on earth. I believe in Him today because I believe He conquered death. I believe He is Who He said He was especially after His resurrection. This big event validated everything He said, taught and did while here on earth. I don’t claim to know all there is to know about Jesus, but I believe He rose from the dead just like the scriptures say.
The big finale of His ministry was in fact, just the beginning for the world. He came to change the world and He did just that. His followers were never the same after the resurrection. They went everywhere telling everyone they met about Him and the things He taught. I remember as a young boy surrendering my life to Him. I believed then and I still believe in Him. My faith is much deeper and stronger than before. The longer I walk with Him day by day, the more blessed I am to know Him.
There’s one more big finish – when this world comes to an end. I’m not sure how or when, I believe He’s coming back to take us to our heavenly home. This will be the actual finale where life on earth ends and eternal life with Him is forever more. It’s hard to imagine, but everything He said before happened. He said it and I believe it!
Pressing On!
Dwayne