By David L. Larsen
The
Apostles were furnished with many convincing proofs (cf Acts 1:3) and the empty
tomb is one of these.
There
was much the disciples did not yet understand, but John “saw and believed.”
Have we made that discovery?
II.
Easter is an Experience – and We Can Enter Into its Delight (9-18)
There
is another kind of demonstration and proof : “You ask me how I know He
lives, He lives within my heart!” Jesus enters into our daily experience.
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Mary
Magdalene is distraught — she is crying. The resurrection is only a rumor
to her — she is very unsure. She even has conversation with two angels.
Jesus
was standing there but she did not realize it was He! She assumed He was the
gardener until He spoke to her. Jesus called her by name — He knows our
names!
She
expected to resume the old relationship with Jesus, but He instructs her to
return to the disciples. He will be ascending to heaven (20:17) — she is not
to try to hold on to Him. Notice the personal pronouns here: “My Father,
your Father, my God, your God”
In
returning to the disciples there is no way she can conceal the exquisite delight
in her heart — “I have seen they Lord!”
After
the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, all of India was in deep mourning. Three
days later, Mrs. Naidu, one of India’s greatest poets, wrote the wrenching
lines:
O Bapu, O
little Father, come back.
We’re orphaned without you. We’re lost without you.
Come back and lead us. We need you.
This
was an eloquent plea but there was no answer. Praise be to God that we do not
need to cry “O Jesus, come back!” He has come back — He is alive
and He is at work in His world! We are Easter people — the sons and daughters
of the resurrection of Christ! We are the people of the future! We are the peo-ple
before the time! Will you come and join with us?