Reflections From Sunday Evening

Cindy and I saw the movie Risen this weekend. It is a new release. It probably will not get a great following and certainly not a box office hit. But I did find it interesting. What would it be like for a Roman soldier who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus do with the assignment to go find the body of the dead Nazarene? This is his story. What would you do? You might go looking for people who are spreading this story about Jesus rising from the dead and ask them some questions. In his case he had to find all the recently dead and look among them for the one he would recognize from those hours on the cross. You would go looking for those reported to be disciples. Perhaps you would take a group of soldiers and kick in a door in search of followers. But what would you do if you stepped into a room and came face to face with the crucified One? It might - no, it definitely would change your life. What do we do to examine this story of the resurrection of Jesus. Some of us find it easier to accept than others. Some of us have heard the story of Jesus rising from the dead all our lives. For some this is a new idea, and a strange one at that. But this is the center of Christianity. The resurrection of Jesus. Why would someone go to the trouble of making a movie about the resurrection of Jesus? This is not a re-telling of the Bible story. This is the story of a person who encounters the risen Jesus. It could be your story. It could be anyone's story. What would you do if someone rose from the dead? Look for him? Listen to him? Believe? It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve