The women - the most stalwart of Jesus' supporters - had the story of the century - of history. And they were afraid, and said nothing. And yet, they told. Eventually. And soon Peter told. Soon the others. Soon more than 500. Soon even a persecutor of Jesus’ followers. And soon it becomes “of first importance.” Soon it becomes the greatest story ever told, carrying the most impact and changing the most lives. Immediately it becomes forgiveness of sins, deliverance from death and the devil, and everlasting salvation to all who simply believe.
That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the profound impact it had. That is the legacy we are given as well.
You want to tell a story worth telling? Augustana Track Coach Paul Olsen (who was also a professor of English Literature), would often begin each season with some of his own prose. He once said, "Taking risks will not cause a person to die. Only not risking will. Only the risker’s have, if they live, a tale worth telling at all." Yep, it's risky business today to talk about Jesus. It might get you killed, as we've seen the killings of Christians around the world recently AND we've seen threats of killing right here at home, say, in Indiana, by those who claim to have Christian values!
Here's the reality of things: In this world, things are always darkest just before they go pitch black. And then, in that darkness, we finally recognize the truth—the truth that our own power or smarts are never enough—we discover that we need to rely solely on the promise of God the Father. THAT is the light that shines in the darkness, and the light always wins. I pray that the current darkness of the world - with terror on the march, with crime and murder and intolerance seemingly unchecked, with reality skewed to where evil is now good, and good is now evil - that darkness will give rise once again to a new awakening - a new excitement - a new reaction - a new revival - a new zeal for the need for Jesus!
It was also years ago that as a geology major at Augustana, we took a spring break trip to south Texas. While spring break is often known for its drunken and drug fueled a-moral parties down in Florida and the like, WE would go study geology! That year, we stopped off at Carlsbad Caverns. We didn't go into the developed cave, with its lights, paved pathways, and even car tours- oh no! We went to the "new cave:" A five mile hike up "slaughter canyon," and then through a locked gate into a completely undeveloped cave, meaning we had a guide and flashlights to be able to even navigate past stalagmites, stalagtites, and large vertical chasms so deep one couldn't see the bottom with the limited light we had. And yet, when we got a mile deep under the surface of the earth, turned off our lights, and saw (or didn't see, rather) the darkest of dark - darker than any night or interior room we could enter - and then saw how a single light could light up the entire cavern, it once again demonstrated how indeed the light can never be overcome by dark. This too, is a story worth telling, but no where near the power or impact of Jesus, the light of the world!
The world’s history demonstrates a recurring time of darkness brought about at our own hands collectively. Thus far it is followed up with a resurgence in getting back to God - it is the history recounted in the Bible, and it is demonstrated in the history since, even including such events as the Lutheran Reformation.
Things are dark now in this world. Are they as dark as it can get? Will the world now turn back to Jesus? Only time will tell.
But YOU: - be ahead of the curve and do it now, not after the darkness falls! Don’t wait for complete and utter hopelessness, because in truth, it cannot get any more hopeless than now - for without Christ the powers of sin, death, and the devil, will overcome and overwhelm us! Take a risk, and Stand up for Christ! Be bold and loudly proclaim the name! Live lives as though Christ mattered to you! Make your lives one which witness to the salvation we’ve been given - that death is most definitely NOT the end! Take a risk and lift high the cross of Christ! It does not matter where you’ve been. It matters where you are going from here. And because He is risen, you know where that is, if you believe that the tomb is indeed empty!
And it IS empty! So now go. Go and make today the first day of the rest of your life! Don’t settle for average, don’t settle for death, and don’t settle for darkness. Live in the light of Christ and proclaim it by what we say or by what we do! It is the greatest story ever told, and it is because it is God’s story, and it is indeed a story worth telling!
The Grave is empty. HE IS RISEN! Text and tell everyone you know!
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