"...and they will see me there."

Matthew 28 

 1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Can you imagine being Mary Magdalene or Mary? What an experience, to be the first people who Jesus spoke to after His resurrection! I think I would fall down at His feet too. My heart races as I imagine being there, in the presence of the risen LORD! And what an important message they carried. They went to tell the apostles where Jesus would meet them. It's probably a good thing that the angel and Jesus both told them where to meet because I tend to think in the middle of all of that I might not remember the meeting place, having witnessed Christ moving about as if nothing had happened to him and all...

Jesus said, "... Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there." They were discouraged, grieving people but Jesus was going to be able to show them this time that prophesy had been fulfilled (and hopefully they would finally get it). Everything that he had taught about had come to fruition and that meant that the apostles' mission was just beginning.

Brent spoke at church today about this part of Jesus' story. I'm glad he did. I found meaning in what he said. My walk-away-thought from his lesson today is that we are not done yet. There are a few things that are changing at PUMP, and change can be uncomfortable in many ways. But Brent reminded us today that our mission and our purpose remain the same. In fact, our work is just beginning. ~ I can think of several people who I hope found encouragement in that today as I did. 

Thanks, Brent!