The Newness Of The Resurrection


Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. (John 20:1-3)
Can you imagine Peter’s thoughts as he was heading to the tomb:  Could it be true?  Just how wonderful would that be?  Didn’t we hear Him say something about that?  I imagine that Peter’s mind was going a thousand miles another, but I can’t help but believe there was another thought – maybe even the most prevalent thought – this means that I will get another chance!  The bravado Peter showed early Thursday evening had turned to cowardice by Friday morning and he denied that he even knew Jesus.  I am not sure which moment impacted Peter the most –  when we he heard the rooster crow and sensed Jesus watching him or when he discovered the news that Jesus was hanging on the cross; but Peter had lived with himself and his failure for two very long days.  Now, on the third day, there was hope – an empty grave meant a second chance.  Peter did get that new opportunity and it would be his chance to show the world that he was a leader in the cause of Christ. 
There are so many incredible things about the resurrection of Jesus.  The proof of the power of God over sin.  The perfection of Jesus that brought about victory over death.  The empty grave that opened the door to allow us to walk into an everlasting heaven.  Yet, of all the blessings of the resurrection one of the most powerful is the opportunity to begin again.  From the moment we defiantly looked at God and say, “No, I am not going to do it Your way” we set in motion our course to destruction.  There is no turning back, we are condemned to physical and eternal death.  Yet, because of the resurrection of Jesus, something special happens – we have hope that we can begin anew.  We have a chance at a new life.  Jesus talked to Nicodemus about a “new birth” (John 3) and Paul would compare it to be a “new creature” (II Corinthians 5:17), but no matter how we relate to it, what it means is that we get a new chance.  We get to begin again.
I enjoy the opportunity to worship on the first day of each week because it symbolically reminds us of this renewal.  Beginning every week with a renewed hope and a new commitment just seems fitting.  Thank you for being here today.  Through the love of the Lord and with help of each other, we have hope.

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