Sunday, April 12, 2009

a joyous reunion

...but a miracle did happen.

"on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. while they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. in their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! remember how He told you, while He was still with you in galilee: 'the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " then they remembered His words.

when they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the others. it was mary magdalene, joanna, mary the mother of james, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. but they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened."
- luke 24:1-12


then Jesus appeared to His apostles, who were startled by His presence.

"He said to them, "why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? look at my hands and my feet. it is i myself! touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see i have."

when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. and while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, He asked them, "do you have anything here to eat?" they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, "this is what i told you while i was still with you: everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of moses, the prophets and the psalms."

then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures. He told them, "this is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at jerusalem. you are witnesses of these things. i am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

when He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. while He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. then they worshiped Him and returned to jerusalem with great joy. and they stayed continually at the temple, praising God."
- luke 24:38-53


---

there are no medical journal articles or any other texts besides the bible that support Jesus' resurrection. i have no concrete evidence to say that Jesus really appeared as a physical being 3 days after His death (which is technically monday morning, not sunday). considering Jesus' death and ressurection are the very basis of the christian faith, you can say i am standing on shaky ground.

but i choose to believe and receive the forgiveness that God has so generously given to me, a sinner, so i could be reconciled to Him.

it took a terrible death and a miraculous resurrection, a day of anguish and a joyous reunion...a humble spirit and a willing heart.

happy easter, everyone.

lishun at 9:54 AM

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