"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." (Mt. 28:1)
"They went to look at the tomb." I read this passage on January 28 and was saddened by the hopelessness in that phrase. They had no more expectation that the tomb would be empty than the other disciple of Jesus who, "were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews." What a sad picture, no expectation, just, "went to look...." How many church services last Sunday were filled with people who just, "went to look."
The root word has something to do with passivity, just to look at it, to be a spectator. So many churchgoers today are just spectators of the, "Faith of Jesus." They are surrounded by people who "believe," who are working in the Kingdom of Heaven, but their lives are dominated more by looking rather than participation. "My brethren, these things ought not so to be." If our text has been too often a mark of your life, I remind you that you are a Follower of Jesus Christ, one in whom Jesus Christ lives. You have the "God-Breathed" Word, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Church for fellowship, exhortation, edification, encouragement, correction. The hymn writer was correct when he penned, "All I have needed Thy Hand hath provided."
So, go to that "tomb" today, but don't go "to look at" it. Go expecting that His Word is fulfilled. Did the women's lack of expectancy and the men's mocking at the news of an empty tomb nullify the Word of God? "Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is not. Do you remember what the Book of Psalms says about this? That God's words will always prove true and right, no matter who questions them (L.B.).
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to never go just to look. Amen.
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When 18 year old Peter Torjesen "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
