March 9th, 21

Jesus Has Gone Ahead

Deuteronomy 10 -12 and Mark 16

They entered the tomb grieving and weeping.  Mary Magdalene is the first to arrive and she is overcome with grief.  Somehow in this death, she feels left behind.  This tomb, this cemetery, is all a painful reminder that she is all alone and grieving.  This man that had delivered her from demonic possession, forgiven her of everything that she had ever done, that had acknowledged her, seen her, and loved her - somehow left her behind.  At least that’s what she thought - until an angel in white shows up.  He has a very simple message for her.  He wants to let her know that he has not left her behind.  

This tomb seems to indicate that God has left us behind.  In fact, every time we go to a funeral we are confronted with the thought that perhaps God has left us behind- that somehow it’s all for nothing.  But now, in this empty tomb, there’s an angel there dressed in white.   He has a new message for Mary, and for you,me and the whole world.  His message is to go tell the disciples, and Peter,  that Jesus has not left us behind.  In fact, he says these words:

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.” (Mk 16:7 NLT)

The message of the resurrection is this: God has not left us behind.  In fact, he has gone ahead of us into Galilee, and there he will meet us, and convince us, with his Body, with his Life, with his Spirit, that he is with us, from now until the end of the age.  

God has not left us behind or abandon us. No.  He has come to rescue us, completely.  He rescues us from the despair of being left behind, left alone.  That is the message  of the resurrection. God has gone ahead.   He is meeting us there, and he will continue to meet us each and every day of our life.  

Be convinced and live in the light of the God who goes ahead of you, and meets you right where you are.

You are loved!