Along the Journey

Easter 2007
The One Who Goes Ahead

In preparing for Easter this year, I have been especially drawn to Mark’s account of the Resurrection. Upon reflection, I was reminded that in the Easter message that I sent out last year, I used the message of the angel in Mark’s gospel: “Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!” (Luke 16:7, New Living Translation). Though that word spoke powerfully to me last year, I realize it speaks even more loudly to where I find myself this year than it did then.

These past three months have been characterized by enormous changes and uncertainty for Anita and me. Last Easter, we had been through a year of change as we had moved from Singapore and assumed new responsibilities. But that upheaval in our lives pales in comparison to what we face this Easter. In light of these realities, I am struck again with the message of the angel. And that word has been Gospel (good news) for me this Easter.

The prospect of going first into some unknown territory often causes us to hesitate and procrastinate, to hold back, and to wait for someone else to take the plunge. The angel at the empty tomb explained that the risen Christ had served this role: He had gone ahead of the disciples and would meet them in Galilee.

I need that message this year as never before: Jesus still goes ahead of us to prepare the way and to meet us in whatever future, whatever “Galilee”, we find ourselves. Someone asked me recently if I was afraid as I face the future. To be honest, my answer is “Yes.” There is always a measure of fear as one faces the unknown, the uncertainty of what lies beyond death. I know what I believe in my heart, the promise of life everlasting in the very presence of God. And I believe that with all my being and have shaped my life around its assurance. But, at the end of the day, it is an unknown venture, one that I have accepted by faith.

Nobody has been there and then come back to tell us that heaven is a reality, that there is life beyond death. No, that’s not true. Easter tells us that Jesus died, and then was resurrected. He has “gone before us” and awaits us there. That does more than I can possibly articulate to allay my fears and to give me hope.

Listen again to the great promises of the Resurrection:
-- “I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am there you may be also.”
-- “because I live you shall live also.”
-- “those who believe in me though they are dead, yet shall they live. . .”
-- “lo, I am with you always.”
These are the promises that enable me to look beyond the present suffering and sorrow and uncertainty and give me strength to make it through each new day with His companionship.

Easter is all about new life. It is about the one who has defeated the forces of death and in His great love invites us to new life here and now and forever. Be attentive to His call to you in this Easter Season. If you need more proof about the resurrection, the only way you will find it is to take a risk and start looking for signs of the resurrection in your own life.

Jesus will come to you, to your future, and say to you the same thing He has said to so many down through the ages, “Follow me.” Christ is risen and He calls you and me to journey with Him into ministry and abundant living today and forever. Let’s head out to Galilee. He awaits us there. Wherever He bids us come, remember that He has gone there before us and has prepared the way for us. That's the message of Easter. And I can’t tell you how much comfort and hope that gives me.

Jack