THE GOOD (?) OL' DAYS

Empty Tomb
Originally uploaded by abcdz2000

"On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment." Luke 23:56b

I never really thought about this verse before. I have read the book of Luke many times, but this verse never stuck out to me like it did a couple of weeks ago in a sermon. (are you getting that I am REALLY getting a lot out of our new church?)

The passage is referring to Jesus' disciples and friends who were in the process of preparing cloth and spices for Jesus' body. They didn't actually go to the tomb and wrap and spice his body that day because it was Sabbath, and the law forbade them from working.

Can you imagine? These are the people that Jesus didn't just know. He LIVED with them every single day. They ate together, traveled together, and ministered to others together. They were in the presence of God, the man. All the time! Many of them immediately left their families and occupations upon the Lord's calling. They KNEW something was different about him. And he spent three years telling them what that difference was. And he explained how he was the fulfillment of the law. He taught them how he was the Messiah and had come to set them free.

Jesus was radical! He showed his closest companions how all the things they had believed were just pointing to his coming. He taught that the law was about him. And that it would pass when his earthly life was finished and he was resurrected. Jesus' friends had the ultimate inside scoop!

But, upon his death, what did Jesus' friends do? They rested according to the commandment mandating the Sabbath. They returned to their old ways. They did not believe he was going to be alive again, and so they went back to their former life. They were sad, and probably mad, and so they fell back on what they had always done. Keeping the law and being acutely aware of their sin.

When I read similar accounts to these, I always wonder at the disciples' stupidity! How could you walk for THREE years with GOD, and have him spell it out AND STILL NOT GET IT?!

And then I take a good look at the proverbial mirror.

How many times have I read the Bible? How often do I continue in its study now? The answers to both are, "often". And how many times do I see my sin and try to make myself acceptable by trying to keep the law and do good deeds to gain God's favor? Unfortunately, the answer to that is, "too often".

Even after standing on this side of the Resurrection, with the whole Bible at my disposal, having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (for longer than 3 years), I can return to my old ways. I go back to trying to keep those commandments in my own flesh.

I figure, at that point, Jesus must wonder at MY stupidity. At least after the disciples realized the Resurrection, they never forgot it. They had things to work out in faith, but they did not forget the Risen Lord and what he had done in them. What's my excuse?!

What about you? Do you forget what Jesus promised you? Do you go back to relying on your old ways when things get hairy?

I don't want to look upon the cross and think that is the end of the story. I want to remember the tomb, and the Gardener, and the fish fry! I want to go NEW places with Jesus! And leave my OLD ways in the dust!