September 12 Be at Peace

Luke 24:4-8 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ 8 Then they remembered his words.
 
WE all know of lightning’s startling brilliance. Regardless of how many times we have seen blazing white lightning bolt across the sky, we sense some fear of this uncontrollable power. We know we cannot stop it. Such is God’s power to do his will. He is sovereign to control all things in heaven and earth. We are not. That may be obvious to most of us; however, mankind’s tendency is to believe otherwise.
    Can you imagine, then, how the “two men” – angels (meaning messengers) form heaven – at Jesus’ tomb startled the women? When the women saw their clothes that gleamed like lightning their only response was to bow down with their faces to the ground. God’s glory and power stood before them. Who would not bow in fear and reverence? The is how Peter, James and John reacted at Jesus’ Transfiguration. Matthew 17:2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light…5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. When we recognize God’s blazing holiness bolt into our storm-afflicted lives, reverent worship and fear must be our response. In other words, we truly believe in God’s authority to judge us and to save us. We are at his mercy for our lives now and forever.
    That’s why we celebrate that God has made a way for us to stand before him in faithful peace. Remembering God is sovereign to offer Jesus unto death, as the angels urged the women, our fearful souls find a holy peace. As Jesus commanded, “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19), we are to remember how God has acted to turn the lightning bolt’s fearful light into the Savior’s light of salvation.
    The angels spoke to bring peace to the women’s hearts. God’s purpose was for them to leave the empty tomb, eager to find the risen Christ. Their mission was to tell the world Jesus had fulfilled his promise, “on the third day be raised again.” With that message they and all of Jesus disciples throughout history would come to know Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Faithful to believe God, they would be prepared to meet the risen Savior.
    Need peace? Go find Jesus.   
 
Prayer: May you, the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in you, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (from Romans 15:13) Amen.