The One Who Is Risen

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 3:04 pm Post subject: The One Who Is Risen

The One Who Is Risen

Scripture:

And Peter opening his mouth, said: You know the word which has been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached, Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit, and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose again from the dead; And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God, to be judge of the living and of the dead. To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him. (Acts 10:34A, 37-43)

Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God: Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. For you are dead; and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen comes early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher; and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulcher. She ran, therefore, and comes to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went out, and that other disciple, and they came to the sepulcher. And they both ran together, and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying; but yet he went not in.

Then comes Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulcher, and saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place. Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulcher: and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (John 20:1-9)

Reflection:

What would we say if we were there? What if we tasted the water turned into wine? What if we witnessed the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the lepers cleansed? What if we witnessed the multitudes fed? What if we heard the beatitudes as they were spoken by Him? What if we heard His answers to the Pharisees and the scribes? What if we witnessed His forgiveness? What if we witnessed the dead brought back to life? What would we do if we had but the chance to touch the hem of His garment?

What if we were there to hear the voice from heaven which said, ?This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.? What if we were there to learn that God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son so that whosoever believed in Him might not parish, but have everlasting life?

What if we were there to witness as He was hailed into the city? What if we were there to witness as the people laid palms upon the path before Him? What if we were there to share His last meal? What if we were there to pray in the garden with Him? What if we were there to see Him turned over and betrayed?

What if we were there to witness His trials? What if we were there to receive the question as to whether we knew Him? What if we were there to witness the mocking of Him? What if we were there to witness the crown of thorns placed upon His head? What if we were there to render judgment on Him? What if we were there to witness the scourging? What if we were there to witness the carrying of the cross? What if were were there to witness as He fell? What if we were there to witness the anguish of His mother?

What if we were there to witness Him nailed to the cross? What if we were there to witness those who cast lots for His robe? What if we were there to hear these words?

?Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.?
?Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.?
?Woman, behold your son. Behold, your mother.?
?My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.?
?I thirst.?
?It is finished.?
?Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.?

What if we were there to witness the piercing of His side? What if we were there to witness Him taken from the cross? What if we were there to witness Him wrapped within a shroud? What if we were there to witness Him placed in the tomb? What if we were there to kneel beside His mother as the stone was rolled into place?

What if we were there on the third day? What if we were there to see that the stone had been rolled away? What if we were there to find the empty burial clothes? What if we were there to see the cloth which had covered His head was rolled up and set aside in a separate place? What if we were there to witness the angel who announced He had risen?

What would we say to those around us as we began to comprehend the Gospel? What would do as we saw all the prophecy fulfilled? What would we do as we realized that through Him, our sins may be forgiven so that we might join Him within His kingdom? Would we fall to our knees in prayer? Would we share the news with all whom we could find? Would we lift our hearts up to the Lord in thanks and praise?

These are all questions upon which we may reflect. These are all questions about which we may wonder, but no matter the answer, the most important question is not about what we may have done or failed to do, but what we will do today; whether we are willing, now that we have received the good news, to invite Him daily into our heart so that we, too, may be guided by Him?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier