“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:5-6).
Ice breakers. I dread, “Tell us one interesting fact about yourself.” Suddenly, I can’t remember what I ate this morning, or my favorite color. Do I even have a favorite color? But there is one question, for which I always have an answer at the ready. “Who is one person, living or dead, that you would have dinner with?”
I love this question because it holds the option of “living” or “dead.” Jesus is the only historical figure that we can whole-heartedly testify is in fact, living. In Luke’s depiction of the scene of the women and the empty tomb, the angel so pointedly asks, “why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5-6).
He is alive. He died on a Friday, the perfect Lamb for our sins, and triumphantly walked out of the tomb on Sunday. Paul later documents that Jesus was seen by over 500 people after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Alive. And moreover, He is coming back.
As we move about day to day, accomplishing small tasks and big goals, let’s remember this foundational truth. Jesus is real. Jesus is alive. He hears you, sees you, and likewise has good, good plans for you.
And we are only here for a short time. This eternal perspective, is the correct perspective. We must use our time wisely. Paul describes our current bodies as “tents:”
“Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home.” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).
Life is hard. It is good and fun and messy and short. So temporary. Jesus is coming back. Therefore, let’s honor this truth with our choices, with our focus, with our devotion.
“They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11).
This eternal perspective brings me so much peace. Jesus is returning. And we will all have dinner with Him at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-10). Rejoice! He conquered death and we will see Him again. Probably sooner than we think.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20).
Thanks for reading today! If you are interested in some deeper Bible study, check out Why did Jesus say, “Verily, verily?” or What is the Biblical Meaning of the Shofar?
