Sunday 26 April 2009
- Bible Book:
- Luke
] said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.'" (v.46-48)
Background
When Europeans first came across the duck-billed platypus in thelate 1800s in Australia, they sent back descriptions to scientistsin Britain. These scientists were convinced it was a hoax as itshattered all of their existing categories. However, once a livespecimen had been brought over to Europe, to prove it was real, anew zoological order was created to accommodate this 'bird-nosedparadox' as the animal's Latin name translates.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ similarly shatters all knowncategories of story, event or meaning. It is the most amazingoccurrence of human history; something utterly, radically new and"a joy beyond the walls of the world" according to JRRTolkien.
It's unsurprising then that the first followers of Jesus were"startled and terrified" when he came and stood among them andinvited them to touch his resurrected body. Though joyful they werealso frightened, doubtful, disbelieving and still wondering as theysought to comprehend the incomprehensible.
Jesus wished the disciples peace and began to address their fearand confusion. He sought to explain how these extraordinary eventswere the fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures - the Law ofMoses, the prophets and the psalms - and Jesus indicated to themsome of the implications. And their mission - should they choose toaccept it - was to be witnesses of these things.
Following the Resurrection, everything had changed and the mostprofound transformation was in the hearts and minds of those whowitnessed it. Very soon they were a band of fearless preachers,compelled to share with others what they had seen and heard. Andthe consequence of what they had witnessed is that, as ArchbishopDesmond Tutu puts it, "ultimately goodness and laughter and peaceand compassion and gentleness and forgiveness will have the lastword".
To Ponder
If you had been amongst the disciples when Jesuscame and stood in their midst, what would you have wanted to hearfrom him?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is supported byfour main areas of evidence: the empty tomb, the witnesses, theexistence and experience of the Christian Church and a lack ofsatisfactory alternative explanations. What weight would you giveto each of these areas in your own considerations?
As the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu imply,amongst the most powerful implications of the Resurrection arethose witnessed in everyday life. What examples of 'resurrection'have you witnessed recently in your own experience and in the worldaround you?