Praying til Pentecost Day 28
"For we did not follow cleverly designed tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty." 2 Peter 1:16
(Matthew 27:57-Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-John 21:1-11)
I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of pageants and dramatic interpretations of Scriptural events. They seem to always go over the top or fall so short of the simplicity of the Gospel message. From a bale of hay and a bathrobe to full scale laser shows the Christian creative community takes tries to get ready for their closeup and deliver their lines. Unfortunately, too often the flight of a dove descending on the Beloved Son turns out looking like a Gospel Blimp. Something always seems to get lost in the translation...simple truth.
Jesus revealed Himself as the Risen Lord without fanfare, laser shows and brass bands. His quiet revelation seems to be a deliberate sabotage to the efforts of promoters and musicians intent on making the message of the resurrection a huge crescendo punctuated with a hands held high, "TA DAH!"
Quite to the contrary, Jesus simply spoke her name to Mary Magdalene. To the couple on the road to Emmaus, He just pulled along side of them and eavesdropped on their despair. To the unbelieving disciples huddled in a room, He appears and speaks with a calming voice, "Peace." One the Sea of Galilee, He plays the role of a spotter on the shore, and points the weary disciples to a school of fish.
His personal touch to Mary provides a glimpse of the intimacy that the Risen Christ offers to people post resurrection. He may not be physically present, but He actively and accurately intercedes for the needs of His followers. He knows them by name!
His willingness to draw near to a couple in crisis on the Road to Emmaus, paints a picture of a Savior who is aware, available, and active in taking the initiative to deliver a compassionate word of hope.
His provision of peace in the midst of a group of fearful followers was a foretaste of His power to deliver a blood transfusion for courageous living that would turn cowards into conquerors.
His direction to His disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat reminds us that the catch always belongs to Him. Our effort without His guidance is an exercise in futility.
His provision of breakfast for His disciples reminds them and us that the Risen Christ will never be in their debt. He invites people to get in on what He is doing in the world. He doesn't need them to do for Him as much as they need to be with Him.
When Peter reflected on the Person of Christ and the power of the resurrection, he thought of His Majesty. For Peter, familiarity did not breed contempt.
Today, focus on the majesty of the Risen Christ, and thank God He is seated at His Father's right hand to intercede for you by name. He knows what you need, before you say it to Him, but say it anyway. You need to role the burden off your back, and place it in His hands. The power of the Risen Christ is found in His power to intercede for you and for me.