The core of Christianity is the resurrection. Without the resurrection, there is no hope, and we are merely raging against the dying of the light. Without the resurrection, we are fools who do not fit with the programme.
But the first witnesses to the resurrection were terrified. Or did not believe what they were seeing. In short, the first witnesses showed the response people have when they see the glory of God, fear and then worship. They were overwhelmed.
23:56bOn the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
24:1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8Then they remembered his words, 9and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11>But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
When the law and covenant were given to Moses the people of Israel were terrified by the signs of the Glory of the LORD. Moses would come out the tabernacle and have to veil his face so that others could look at him. Paul commented that the glory of the resurrection was greater. When we see how small we are, and how great God is, the experience is not often joyful.
Instead it causes us to fear shame and guilt. We would prefer to be somewhere else. We have to be encouraged to stand, to hear the words of hope, and accept the mercy of God.
For God is good, and this goodness is terrible.
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