Dearest Members of Bethlehem,
“And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the
men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is
not here, but has risen!’” -Luke 24:5
What a powerful moment. The Gospel of Luke indicates that there
were two men in “dazzling apparel” that stood by the disciples. These
men were the ones to assure the disciples that Jesus had been
raised, just as he said he would be. I’m not sure how many Easter sermons have focused on these two men in dazzling apparel, but I am convinced these two are worthy of
our consideration.
Seriously, we pass right over these two messengers and hardly think
about them again. But without them, how long would it have taken for
the disciples to figure out what had happened? Who would have
reminded them of Jesus’ words about his death and resurrection?
What kind of account would they have crafted for the other disciples
without the direction of the “two men in dazzling apparel?”
You see, Easter is a glorious welcome reminder of how God might
work in our lives. We are reminded that it helps to have some
companions along the way. And… “two men in dazzling apparel”
remind us, some of those companions may be complete strangers.
So often, Easter turns into that moment when we are told to get out
there and share the Good News, that will come, have no fear… but
before we get busy proclaiming, we might want to take a moment to
listen.
Yes, every account of Christ’s resurrection has a moment when the
disciples who will eventually receive the “Great Commission” must
listen to a voice that first calms and then clarifies what it is that is
taking shape in and through the empty tomb. They have to listen first,
then they have something to share.
Bask in the Word for a couple days. Reread those Gospel accounts of
Christ’s resurrection. And then, be open to hearing how it is that God
has been at work in the lives of others.
Who knows when we too might run into a bright person that has
something revelatory to share with us? We will never have all the
answers, so the faithful will need to remain open to the possibility of
being surprised by the next life-changing insight that comes our way.
Question for reflection: Who do you think these two men in dazzling
apparel were?
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dan
Gracious God, we live in the shadow of the cross and the light of the
resurrection. Both shape our commitment to those in need and our
trust in your redemptive activity in the world. By your grace we will
remain faithful, we will persevere, we will know a blessed future;
alleluia! We pray this all in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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