Sometimes, when I think about the Resurrection, it feels as if it would have been stranger than fiction to have lived through it. In a world replete with demonic visitations, there was a dead body that wasn’t dead. How do you think you’d have responded? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Matthew 28:9 AMP
[9] And as they went, suddenly, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” And they went to Him and took hold of His feet [in homage] and worshipped Him [as the Messiah].
Rejoice
Matthew’s account of Y’shua Jesus’ Resurrection is, as expected, slightly different from John’s. According to many sources, the author Matthew was an eye witness. He seems to have relied on other sources to corroborate his facts. As a tax collector, he might have had other priorities for a while, then began to zero in on the life of Jesus after his own conversion. Moreover, we all know that a storyteller’s tale varies depending on the audience. And though this is recorded, it most likely began as an oral account of Y’shua’s divinity.
Self-Check
Do we share the Gospel in the same way each time we share it? Why/ not?
Application
This Matthean account of Y’shua’s resurrection, we could say, was the real Peekaboo. Y’shua literally just appeared suddenly in front of Mary Magdalene and the other women. Because the angel had prepared them, they were not afraid at His sudden appearance or at hearing His voice.
I find it interesting that Y’shua’s first word to them is both a greeting and command. Chairó, the Greek word attribute to Jesus can be interpreted as both Hail (hello) or Rejoice (be glad or I am glad). Of course, ‘Hail’ resonates with me in one sense, as it still is a way of greeting in Jamaica. I do believe, though, that while Y’shua was saying ‘Hello’, it wasn’t an ordinary hello. He was also telling these women who came to dress His body that he was happy to see them.
Yes, Y’shua was rejoicing at their faithfulness in bringing the spices to preserve what they anticipated would be his corpse. True, it meant they had forgotten His promise, but their devotion to Him – even in death – was evident. I also believe that Y’shua was happy to see the women, to confirm that He had conquered death and was there as proof. (I can hear Jamaican folklorist, Miss Lou, burst out in singing, ‘Dis long time gyal’ on Y’shua’s behalf right here).
But, consider with me that Y’shua also knew the depth of the women’s heartbreak. As God, He would have known, but I can also imagine that they were not silent in their grief at Y’shua’s death. Y’shua knew that seeing Him, risen from the dead, not only confirmed what the angel said. It brought them great joy. The same kind of joy the shepherds were invited to partake of at Y’shua’s birth.
Unlike the shepherds, those women were acquainted with Y’shua. Seeing Him alive again would have been like a dream turned reality.
He rose.
His Resurrection offers us joy today. In Him is our warranty for eternity. He is our hope amidst all we face today. I pray we find joy in His Resurrection, as suddenly as it happened for those women.
Point to Ponder
What would it mean for us to know that Y’shua is happy to encounter us today? Would it bring us joy? Or would He need to wait while we prepare … Rejoice, He is risen!
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May all we seek be found in Christ
