Live Greater Are You In The Know?

Mar 31, 2008

And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad” - Luke 24:17

I was watching the news the other day, and the news anchors were discussing a local tragedy. The anchor at the news desk asked the onsite anchor a very pointed question. He asked, “John…why did this happen?” And John at the site of the tragedy awkwardly responded, “Well Mike…I don’t know.” As I reflected on their uncomfortable exchange I couldn’t help but appreciate the reality of the question and answer. It is very human to ask why and it is very human to not know the answer.

In the Gospel of Luke after the Resurrection we find two of the followers of Jesus going to Emmaus. The Gospel tells us that they were discussing all that had happened the previous few days. In the reality of the situation it is safe to say that they were asking the question why? Why did our Messiah have to die? Why did the one who would be our King and Savior have to be taken from us? Why did no one help? Why? At that moment, it is likely the only reaction or answer they had for one another was uncertainty. I don’t know…

When this Gospel becomes alive around us, and we find ourselves on the road, what in our lives and hearts are we asking “why” about? 

Why did my friend have to die?
Why does my family struggle?
Why am I so sad sometimes?
Why is there war?
Why do people commit suicide?
Why do people suffer?

As we ask these questions it is helpful to know those things in which we struggle. But as the news anchor and the disciples, most of our answers are still not known or uncertain. As the followers of Jesus were on the road they were still living in the shadow of Good Friday not yet fully grasping the power and beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ risen from the dead. On Good Friday, the followers of Christ deal with the unknown but as they move to fully understand the resurrection and the Lord reveals himself to them, their eyes begin to be opened.

There are a lot of things we do not know…but here are a few things we do know as we live in the light and power of the resurrection.

We know that the tomb is empty
We know that the Lord has risen from the dead
We know that the Lord conquered sin and death
We know that in all things the Lord has the last word

My friends, with the Lord we have reassurance that what we experience, the suffering of a broken world, and a life that is mostly lived in the unknown, we can be at peace and have great hope for the future. This is the reality of Easter. We are called to be an Easter people, not a people who live in the shadow of Good Friday. The cross leads us to experience freedom, healing, and life in the resurrection. This life came at a huge cost.

Let us rejoice today not in uncertainty or the question why, but in the reality of this Easter season. The Lord won and the tomb is empty.

What have great hope as the disciples exclaimed…“The Lord has risen indeed” (Luke 24: 34)

With great hope, God Bless You,

Rusty

Question of the week: What are the “why’s” in your life and how is the Lord calling you to look to him this Easter?