Resurrection

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10

I rode my bike into town for the first time in over a year. It's an easy two and a half miles each way but I hadn't been able to ride at all for more than a year. I thought for a long time I would never ride again. I have always loved to ride my bike and mourned the loss of something so simple and joyful. Mark and I took it easy and we made it just fine. I am worn out but alive at the end of it all. I felt like something which had died was reborn and had come back to life. And I also realize how easy it would have been to left it for dead, and not seek it out any more. It is sometimes less painful to leave things alone than hope for a resurrection.

The women came out early, full of pain and sorrow. They came to do what they could, despite the sorrow and grief that brought them low. They could have left it alone, no one would have faulted them. The disciples took off and did not come early in the morning. Because they did not leave it alone, the found Jesus alive, surrounded by stunned guards and angels. They had a moment that was theirs to share, a moment that changed their lives and the course of the world. They showed up and the world changed.

Today, I ask God to help us to not leave the hard challenges and the difficult people for dead. May we face every morning and every challenge with the hope of the resurrection. May God give us the eyes to see the possibility in each obstacle and the good in every ornery person and relationship. May we keep moving, even when we are burdened with sorrow and loss, trusting God to replace our burdens with new stories to tell.