Happy Easter!
Jesus has a way of catching us unaware. He has His own agenda and way of doing things. And to put it quite plainly, there s no way we can anticipate what He will do. We can only learn to listen and be prepared.
Like the women who arrived at the tomb with embalming spices on the third day, we put a lot of effort into what is typically done without giving thought to what Jesus prepared for us. Perhaps that is why the women were disappointed. They did not expect to find an empty tomb. Where was the body?
They had prepared themselves to minister to the dead. They did not know how to expect anything different.
There they stood; in front of an open, empty tomb, holding a bunch of useless spices. They were “greatly perplexed.” Mouths hung open. Wonder filled their minds and no thoughts would come. There was no human blueprint for this. What should they think? What were they suppose to do now? What happened? What does this mean?
It is little wonder that the angels (two men standing by in shining garments) had to do the speaking for them. (Luke 24:4)
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ And they remembered His words.” (Lk 24:5–8)
They could not comprehend what God was doing apart from remembering His word.
It was Jesus’ own words that prepared them for this new day. And still, they were not ready.
God does not make plans according to your plans. the only way forward is the cherish His words and build your life upon them. God confirms His word. And through it, He prepares us for what He is about to do.
While we are never “ready.” We can prepare to be amazed.