John 20:1-2
Easter is Easter because we know the rest of the story.
We’ve read ahead to the end; we know Jesus is alive and resurrection is real.
Mary, Peter, and the other disciple don’t know the rest of the story yet. For them, this moment is filled with panic and confusion. The tomb is empty and Jesus isn’t there. They can’t wrap their minds around anything beyond that.
I don’t know about you, but I usually receive unexpected news with at least a little wariness, if not downright dread. Even when I later realize that the news is good, in those first few moments I feel uncertainty and apprehension. My initial reaction sounds a lot like, “I don’t understand,” then quickly turns into “What am I supposed to do next?”
We know the rest of the story. The disciples’ confusion and fear in those early Easter hours was not just an initial reaction. They felt the same trepidation for days, weeks, even years.
Faith is funny that way. Following Jesus has a way of leading us into places and situations where we are left asking “What are we supposed to do next?” Ironically, that’s usually a good indication that we are heading in the right direction.
Consider
When has following God led you to a place where you weren’t exactly sure what you were supposed to do next?
Pray
God, help us to understand that an empty tomb is a whole lot like a blank sheet of paper. You know what we’re going to do next. We just have to be willing to write the story with you. Amen.