Stepping Stones: Do You Keep God In A Box or Tomb?

Transformational Thought

Let’s continue our journey in time, back to that first glorious Easter morning, about 2000 years ago. When Mary, Mary, Salome, and the rest of their crew visited the tomb that Easter morning, they were saddened, upset, worried, and edgy. They had just lost their great and charismatic leader at the end of a rollercoaster week that started on a triumphant high, and ended in their cause being judged as wrong and their leader executed by all the power and ruling elements in their land. Would they be next to be rounded up and endure a mock trial and persecution, then executed?

So imagine their surprise as they see the stone rolled aside. They had no idea what to make of the empty tomb. Thankfully, they get to meet not one, but two angels who explained that Jesus was not there, but risen. But they didn’t believe and just thought the body was stolen. They then ran to tell Peter and John, who also were perplexed and needed to come to the tomb to figure it out. Finally, once in the tomb, seeing the evidence of the wrappings, they believed. Mary actually had to talk to Jesus outside the tomb to really get it.

I can’t understand their stupidity, ignorance, disbelief, and nearsightedness. Jesus performed many miracles, talked of ruling His kingdom, raised Lazarus from the dead, and taught that He will rise from the dead in 3 days. Why were they so surprised and not excited, but actually fearful, to see an empty tomb. Seems like they would be expecting it and rejoicing while looking for where He would appear to them.

How often do we react the same way? Believing God is as limited as us, think He's restricted to the same reality we are, don't believe His promises and predictions, and underestimate His power and knowledge. Well, I have no right to criticize Mary, Mary, the disciples and most of His followers, because I limit Jesus and God the same way they did.

My life has really changed since I realized He is bigger than me, He will stand by His promises, and expect the unexpected!

Don't expect God to be dormant in a Tomb. He is at work in and around you...expect it, embrace it, and enjoy it. Thank God the tomb is empty, but why were they surprised. I hope you aren't surprised in your everyday trials because God will show up. But remember, He didn’t rise from the dead immediately, He waited three days for a specific reason.

Happy Easter! from the Lighthouse Network staff. May His power over death embolden and encourage your advancement against whatever trials and threats you are facing.

Prayer
Thank You, Father, for Your power You give us by Christ's death, resurrection, and through Your Holy Spirit to be free of sin's grip and Satan's schemes. Give me a heart that will love You even 1/1000 of what You love me. Keep fresh in my mind Your promises and character, so in times of uncertainty, I don't put You in a box and limit my expectations and understanding of Your plan and power. I pray You grant the Stepping Stones readers eyes that see Your awesome plans for them. In Christ's powerful and magnified name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:40

for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Mark 9:31

Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?"
John 2:19-20