Why Wander Around A Graveyard?

Reflections On Easter, 2013.  Saturday night, we looked at some questions that were asked of the followers of Jesus, after He had raised from the dead.  These men and women were confused and frightened after seeing their Lord put to death, and when they found Jesus gone from the tomb, they were even more confused, frustrated, frightened, and perhaps angry.  In the midst of all this, several questions were posed to them.  Questions were often the way Jesus focused His people back to what mattered, and these questions were no different.

The central question was asked of the women who went to the tomb, to finish the burial preparations on the body of Jesus.  An angel asks, “Why are you seeking the living from among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)  This question sheds light on so many things.

They were not seeking the living.  They were, in fact, seeking the dead.  What they thought they were looking for, they could not find, because the dead body they were after didn’t exist.  Finding things as they were, with no dead body, didn’t clear up the confusion, frustration, anger and fear.  It added to it.

Imagine.  The greatest event in the history of the world had taken place, and those closest to it were confused and afraid.  Things were bad enough when He died, but now, what they had expected to find in the grave was gone. 

So why did Jesus allow this?  If I knew something like this was going to happen to me, I would tell my son everything that would take place, step by step, right before the event, so that when he saw it happen, he would be encouraged, not discouraged, frustrated, angry and afraid.  Jesus told His followers some of what would take place, but not in a way that they could easily see and understand, while they were witnessing it.  Why?  Doesn’t that seem mean?

I believe that at least part of the answer is, because messiness is how life is in this world of sin.  Because Jesus’ followers would continue to not understand things, and look for the wrong things, and be confused and frightened.  This was one of many lessons.

It happens to us today, doesn’t it?  We are looking at our circumstances, wanting for something, or even looking to God for something, but what we are seeing is not what we were seeking, not what we expected, not what we hoped for.  So, the natural reaction is often to get confused, frustrated, angry, and fearful.  But, if we are followers of Christ, we know God is working things for our good, for our benefit.  (Romans 8:28-29)  So, during these times when God is working in significant ways, we can be hopeful, optimistic, and full of wonder.  We can walk with Christ, trusting Him.

Those closest to Jesus were rocked by the greatest event in human history.  I’m sure I would have been too.  However, we have the opportunity to learn from their situations, as well as so many of our own.  Trust Him, walk in Him, set your focus on eternal things, not the things that don’t really satisfy us.  Watch for God working in His ways, not our ways.