Nothing will be the same once you see Jesus
I AM sure we all know how challenging and heart-breaking life can be. But do we know enough about the Passover?
The message of the resurrection is essential because it demonstrates the awesome power of God which can also be demonstrated in your life, if you desired it.
Allow me the opportunity to share the simple resurrection message of Mary Magdalene, who was the first person at the tomb wanting to anoint the body of Jesus.
By then, Mary Magdalene was already dejected, similar to the other ardent followers of Jesus because all they had were memories of him to hold on to.
His followers had lost all hope but their despair evaporated after Mary had an encounter with Jesus in the garden. She then said to the disciples “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:1-18).
It is all you need to know about the resurrection, if you catch the heart of Mary’s message.
Each of us has to derive our own faith, based on a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. When that happens, the real meaning of Easter will become clear and real to you.
We must see the reality of the resurrected Christ as Mary did, for ourselves. Only then does the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus become personal to you.
Jesus called Mary by name; I pray this Easter message calls you by name today. Nobody can call your name like Jesus can.
At first she did not see him standing in her midst. A miracle had happened before her eyes, and she missed it at first.
Many of us now are like Mary – so broken, full of pain and grief, so afraid and troubled, angry over what we have endured.
She could not see the Son of God had risen. The eternal dawn had come and Mary Magdalene looked but did not see.
Today maybe the tears and fears of life have caused you not to see him; He is still there, calling your name.
When the circumstances in your life have you immersed in sorrow and pain, it’s harder to see Jesus.
However, one word from Jesus and the Passover happened for Mary, one word from Jesus and her eyes were opened, and she recognised him.
Mary saw that Jesus was alive, and that God is more powerful than your troubles, and that nothing can separate us from His loving presence.
You can see all this too, but you have to open your eyes. Nothing will be the same once you see Him.
Jesus changed the course of Mary’s life; he can change yours too. The one that Mary saw was the Lord. The crucified one,
Jesus, was also the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
This is the best news of all on Passover and it doesn’t matter how long you have lived or have to live. All you need to know is this: you can make the rest of your life the best of your life – Jesus is Lord and Christ is risen.
Mary saw him, and I have seen Him. I know He lives and that death has no power over Him. And because He lives I can live and face tomorrow.
Life truly belongs to the Lord Jesus. He said: “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
This is what Easter proclaims, and I believe it is true. Jesus conquered Sin, Satan and Death, He is risen and He rules. He is the only one who can forgive sins because he died and paid the full price for your sins and mine.
This is the greatest news the world has heard. Jesus has conquered man’s last enemy, which is death. Now we don’t talk about death; we talk to death. Death no longer has victory over us, the grave no longer has a hold on us.
The last thing Jesus left with us before leaving Earth was His “peace”. What we won’t give up just to have peace in our country. Today you can have God’s peace in your life. When you are at peace with God, you will have peace with all of mankind.
According to the Bible, this is the biggest problem we have with the resurrection; we feel distressed, not because we do not understand it, but because we fear this absolute joy.
We have learnt to love our troubles. Some people even seem to find the essence of human existence in our troubles and anxieties. We have trained ourselves to hide and seek cover and now we want to use all these shelters we have built, simply because we have them and we are so accustomed to them.
Our hearts don’t know what it means to be safe and saved where the last enemy, death itself, has been conquered. And for that reason we do not understand what life is really about.
I humbly ask you: “Will the walls of our hearts be able to stand the inpouring of eternal joy?” That is the question which essentially forms the crux of our fear about the season of Passover.
I trust that today you will make a decision to live a resurrected life in Christ and accept the joy that resurrection morning brings.
Naidoo is the lead pastor at Salt and Sunshine Ministries in Queensburgh.
The views expressed are not representative of the Sunday Tribune Herald.