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A Resurrection Day Posture Worth Modeling

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Truly this is a narrative to be cherished. The women had come to the tomb to serve the crucified Savior by tending to his body, however, upon arrival his body was no longer there. We read of the great announcement by the angel that “He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said..” (Matt. 28.5).

Notice the reaction here by Christ’s servants for it is a great model for us. The risen Savior had induced dual emotions in their hearts, fear and great joy.

Great Fear

On the one hand they are afraid, for something more powerful than their greatest adversary had been unveiled, they were mourning because of the formidable foe of death and its relentless pursuit of life. However, now, they were struck by another power that has distinguished itself greater than the source of their troubles. They were confronted not by the potential or the predictions of a powerful resurrection, but with the reality.

These early morning witnesses were no doubt overwhelmed with fear as they would have considered the reality that everything that Jesus said and did was true, for he had many times said that this precise thing would happen. So they were afraid. They were afraid because the undisputed champion of mankind, death itself, had just been defeated. There is nothing more powerful and so therefore more awful than the one has the power and victory over death.

Great Joy

But they were not just afraid. The text combines their fear with “great joy”, (megas chara). They had mega-joy. Why? Well, we can start with the fact that they have a mega Savior! For indeed this Jesus was all that he said he was. He did exactly what he said he would do. He is indeed the Savior. He really did give his life as a ransom for many (Mk. 10.45). He really did rise from the dead (Matt. 26.32). He really was going to prepare a place for them (Jn. 14.2-3). He really was the Son of God (Jn. 1.29). O’ how this must have all came to a simmering head in their enlightened hearts. No doubt they were filled with mega joy!

So what do they do? They run to tell the other disciples. They want to relay this fearful but joyous reality to others. They are going to share, to encourage and stimulate others with this reality; the Savior is alive, just as he said he would be.

However, they are interrupted on their way by the Savior himself. We read that he greated them. I wonder what that was like. Perhaps he said, “My bride” or “Child” or “Peace” or “I’m alive” or “Here I am”….I don’t know exactly and neither do you. But this much we do know, his physical presence after defeating death says, hope, peace, victory, life, truth, grace, mercy, heaven, forgiveness, trust, faith…and so many other things that are such balm to the sin stained heart that is weighed down by sin.

Great Worship

Mark their response and learn from your great grandmothers in the faith: “they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.”

Amen. This is the right spot for the Christian, for there is no better place to be than clasping with white knuckled faith the nail pierced feet of Jesus. The word chosen here for “took hold of” is also translated arrest, seize, and retain. We are told in Hebrews 4.14 to hold fast to our confession, it is the same word. What a great picture here, clinging, arresting, holding fast to the feet of Jesus; taking a mouthful of dirt and muddying the ground with tears of joy. Yes Christian find yourself here, trusting fully in the crucified and risen Savior who has defeated death and stands risen to greet you.

The text says that they worshipped him. Yes this is the picture of worship. He is standing and they are prostrate. There is no room in their hands for religious works, idols, or any other rivals to the Savior. No, all that fills their clinging hands is Jesus.

Dwell long on this meditation friends for it is the essence of the resurrection. Jesus is to be feared because he rose from the dead, but he is also to be joyfully worshipped because he did this for us. We therefore run and cling to him in full dependence, satisfaction and worship.

Enjoy this wonderful picture given by God’s kindness in his word, but enjoy more the living reality of fully clinging to the ever wonderful risen Savior himself.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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