Easter — Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
Psalm 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. (ESV)
Not to be dramatic, but I would rather eat my left arm than go for a run.
I know that cardiovascular exercise is important. I know that some people truly like an open road, or a treadmill, or a nice paved sidewalk and a pair of Nikes to clear their head. And good for them! For me, there are plenty of other types of exercise I practice, and dare I say even enjoy. But running? Foggetaboudit. I’d sooner have a lobotomy. In fact, that’s probably what it would take to make me get on board with running.
Unless I were the one to see the empty tomb.
Mary Magdalene was the first to see it, and John 20:2 says she ran to tell Peter and John what she saw. In turn, their response was to run to see what she was talking about (and of course, John made mention TWICE that he was the faster disciple… deep inside every man lives a boy who still loves recess). But all that running was a 100% appropriate response to the most shocking discovery of their lives. Even I myself would have booked these little legs lickety-split to see what they saw.
At first glance, the empty tomb did seem to be a shocking discovery. But shortly after, still out of breath from running to see it, it all finally clicked. It wasn't really shocking at all. This was just the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus had made that He would rise again. He wasn't in the tomb because He wasn't dead anymore. The tomb was empty because Jesus was, and is, alive. Walking in the darkness gave way to running towards the light.
It was true then. It's true now. The sun rose, and the Son rose. His victory over sin, Satan, and death is our victory too. What are we to do with this victory? Hebrews 12:1-2 clues us in: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Like our Savior, we can endure life’s troubles for the joy set before us. Earth's darkest moment is no match for Heaven's brightest morning. He has not left us to trudge in the black of night for all our days. He has given us the bright hope of an empty tomb and a heart full of His steadfast love for all eternity. That, my friends, is worth running towards.
APPLICATION
Take a moment to reflect on a current struggle, and write down how the promise of Jesus’ victorious resurrection over sin and death changes the way you face it.
PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you.
