Jesus Christ Is Alive

by Allen Ketchersid

When the women approached the tomb of Jesus early on Sunday morning, they found it empty. They became terrified when two men, gleaming like lightning, suddenly stood beside them. As the women bowed their faces to the ground, the men said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5).

Why did these women go to the tomb? They weren’t looking for the living. In times of personal tragedy and extreme sorrow, do I seek the living Lord, or do I question the continued viability of his power?

That same day Jesus joined two other disciples as they walked along on their way to Emmaus. Scripture says that these disciples were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They were discussing their disappointment and disillusionment over the crucifixion of Jesus. When they explained their frustrations to Christ, he said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart that you do not believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25). And I wonder, how do I   deal with disappointment   and frustration myself? Do I immediately lean on the eternal truths of God’s word, or am I slow of heart to believe God’s promises?

When Jesus broke the bread before those two disciples in his characteristic way, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. They turned back at once to Jerusalem and found the Eleven and the other disciples. As they were declaring to the others that the rumors of Christ’s resurrection were true, Jesus appeared among them. All the disciples were “startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.” Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your minds?” (Luke 24:38). Well, why? Why were they troubled and still doubting? It seems like a rather normal response, doesn’t it? Preachers have proclaimed to me all my life that his tomb is empty, but if the risen Lord stood before me, I am sure I would be every bit as startled and afraid. Unshakable faith in the risen Lord has never come easily to anyone.

Jesus has pronounced a particular blessing upon those who have not seen and yet have believed. May God honor and reward us for the faith we can muster in the risen Lord. When you bow before the Lord in worship, are you bowing before the risen Lord of all? Can you bring your disappointments and your disillusionment and entrust them to the ultimate promise keeper?

Seek the Lord while he may be found. He is alive!