“Thank you Lord. I receive your promises and I trust that you will do what you’ve said. I believe your word is true and your timing is perfect.” How many times have we said these words in our prayer closets only to close the door behind us and continue to live as if we don’t believe in the promises of God?
Friday to Sunday
This past Easter Sabbath, we had a guest speaker at my church. He present a sermon entitled “The Ministry of the In Between”. The sermon focused on the significance of the time between when Jesus was crucified on Friday and his resurrection on Sunday. It was a powerful sermon and I appreciated all that the guest speaker presented, but there was one point he mentioned in passing that I got stuck on.
No one was waiting for Jesus at the tomb when he was resurrected…
No one was there…
Mark tells us the story of Jesus’ crucifixion in chapter 15. Then, in chapter 16 Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, go together to Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body with spices. They are met by an angel (or two depending on which disciple you ask) who asks, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?”
The angel simply tells them, “He is not here.”
Why Was No One Waiting There?
The disciples had spent three years with Jesus watching him perform miracles. They watched him heal the sick, make a blind man see, and yes even raise the dead. Jesus told the disciples three times about his eminent death, but in the same breath reassured them that he would be resurrected. So, why then, was no one there to greet him? When someone finally did show up to the tomb, they were there to anoint his dead body…even though he told them exactly when he would be resurrected.
I wish I had at least one of the disciples here to ask these questions.
Perhaps they were skeptical that such a thing could happen. Thomas proclaimed, even after speaking with eye witnesses, that he would not believe it until he saw the nail wounds on Jesus’ hands for himself and put his fingers into them. (John 20:25)
Maybe their grief for their friend, mentor, and lord prevented them from counting on the promises that Jesus made to them.
“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead”
Matthew 17: 22-23 NLT
The Promises of God
We’ve all been where the disciples were on that fateful Friday. All hope looks lost and we are unwilling to stand watch outside a tomb that remains still. Maybe you are grieving a friend too. Perhaps there is no money for the bills that seem to be piling up or the doctor has given you a grave report.
There is one thing I count on when times like these get me down. God’s promises are sure, and his word will never fail. We can count on Jesus to come through just like he did at his resurrection! There is a promise from God in the bible for every situation!
I am with you. (Isaiah 41:10)
I will keep you in perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3)
I will instruct and teach you. I will council you with my loving eye. (Psalms 32:8)
I will fight for you. (Exodus 14:14)
If we say we believe in Jesus and his word, then we should act on his promises! Be bold! Stand at the door of the tomb in expectation! Jesus told you he is coming back!
Real Life Examples
Jemal King a.k.a The 9 to 5 Millionaire tells the story of the birth of his son all the time. I heard him tell it on an episode of The Secret to Success podcast. Jemal and his wife already had two beautiful daughters, but Jemal wanted a son to complete their family. He and his wife consistently prayed to be blessed with their son.
Jemal decided to prepare for his son without any confirmation of a pregnancy in sight. He and his wife remodeled their home and they included their son’s room in their plans. Then, once the remodel was complete, they filled his room with decorations, clothes, and toys. Jemal added a rocking chair and sat there pretending to rock his son to sleep each night as he prayed for his arrival.
After seven years, God blessed them with the son they prayed for. Jemal believed in the promises of God, and his son was born! Jemal and his wife left the desires of their hearts at the feet of Jesus and believed they would have their son! They prepared for the promise to come true and it did!
The Promises of God are True for You too!
It can be difficult to see clearly when all seems stacked against you, but I challenge you today not just to accept the promises god has made but to LIVE in the promises of God! His promises are sure, and his word will never fail you!
Dear Lord,
First of all, Thank you! Thank you for not only dying on the cross to save us all from our sins, but also for waking up on Sunday and keeping your promise of salvation to us! Thank you for conquering death and the grave!
I ask that you touch our hearts with your promises. Bring them to our minds when we are in the Friday of our lives and remind us that there will be a Sunday! You promised the disciples you would rise again and then you did. You promised us that you would return for us and we believe that you will!
Remind this reader that they are special to you. Remind them of the promise that you will never leave them nor forsake them. God, I ask that you show up and show out in their life! Turn their situation around in such a way that they will know without a doubt that it was you that did it!
In your holy and all wise name, Amen!
