Confusion In The City

         

           We received word this week a dear friend passed away.  He was now resting in the arms of Jesus.  Yet, our hearts hurt while our emotions run between grief and anger that cancer won.  It seems unjust and cruel, leaving us feeling empty, confused and sad.

            Those few days after Jesus’ resurrection, in the city of Jerusalem, there must also, have been much confusion.  There were those leaders who were rejoicing that they had finally found a way to stop the following of a man they clearly feared, even if they didn’t admit it.  They had seen him flogged, crucified, dead and put in the grave.  Yet, there must have been at least a twinge of uncertainty, since despite all this knowledge, Jesus’ tomb was not only blocked by a huge stone, no single man could move, it was sealed and then guarded.

            Then there were the followers of Jesus who must have felt grief, anger, emptiness, and confusion, and also, fear.  Their world was completely turned upside down.  For three years they followed the man they were sure was the Messiah, the Christ.  How could they have been so deceived?  Surely the Messiah was one who would rule forever and ever….But how could he have been Jesus, if he was now buried within this stone tomb? 

            Even the skeptics must have had questions given the “natural phenomenon” which happened between noon and three, the day Jesus died.  They were witness to pitch blackness in place of sun or even clouds, there was an earthquake, large rocks split apart, graves were cracked open and those inside the opened graves appeared to many in the city, and the veil that separated the Holy of Holies in the Temple was split in two!  Understand this veil was sixty feet tall, thirty feet wide and ten inches thick!  This was no small rip!  It was huge!

            To complicate all this after the resurrection, Jesus was seen in the city!  This must have caused an uproar from all the believers, since this was the proof they needed, to verify they weren’t being “duped” when Jesus was alive and among them.  Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Peter, the disciples, over 500 Brethren, James, the apostles and then Paul on the road to Damascus.

            There are many who still try to discredit the Resurrection, despite the proof we have.  Do you find yourself sometimes questioning what is real and what is not?  Christ provided proof….a record….of His life, even after death.  He is a risen Lord.  There is no other religion that can make this claim.  All others serve a god that has long since been dead, whose bones can be found.  There are no bones to be found for Jesus because they aren’t there!  Jesus rose again and is alive and well.  He can be called upon and will answer.  He is longsuffering and patient waiting for each of us to recognize His coming, death and resurrection are not a lie, but truth. 

            Are there days when you are filled with confusion, anger, sadness or an empty ache nothing seems to fill?  Does your heart hurt, even as you feel the tug of the Holy Spirit?  It is a void only Christ Jesus can fill.  I challenge you to surrender to the tug because Christ is the only way you can truly have peace.