As Though It's All True

Mental assent isn't it.

It can almost feel like there should be more here. We’ve got 27 chapters of Jesus’ ministry and then death. And only one chapter regarding the resurrection and post-resurrection appearances.

Perhaps it’s by design, which really makes chapters 1-27 pretty important! Many say that the key feature of Jesus’ ministry is the resurrection. This, of course, is true. But we find in the gospels that belief isn’t simply assent to affirming that something happened. Rather, it’s the life lived out as though that thing were true.

Which means the rest of the gospel is indeed so important. We can’t just walk around saying, “I believe Jesus rose from the dead,” and have it mean anything without our living our lives as though resurrection is both true and possible.

We are coming up on Advent and then Christmas. Those stories are so important to the development of who Jesus is and why he came. We can’t miss it. It’s not just theology and mystery, but the nature of it invites us into a particular life lived.

Anyway, read this great passage with Matthew’s account of the resurrection and let us consider together what it means to live lives of hope as though it’s all true.

Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone, he rolled it away and sat on it. Now his face was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. The guards were so terrified of him that they shook with fear and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I’ve given the message to you.”

With great fear and excitement, they hurried away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. But Jesus met them and greeted them. They came and grabbed his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.”

Prayer

God,

Help me to believe with my very life.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.