From my childhood, many years ago, I recall playing with the canned goods in my mother’s kitchen. The metal cans were perfect for hauling in trucks, stacking in pyramids or rolling across the floor. For Mom, the cans filled with food were a good way to keep track of mischievous boys. To this day I clearly remember the dented cans and the fun that was had in that kitchen. The problem was that after several uses the labels on the cans were no longer attached, either intentionally or unintentionally. My brothers and I did not care, but for Mom that made meal preparation interesting. I can still remember Mom shaking the cans to try and guess the contents. Wanting canned corn Mom would open a can to find peaches, or finding baked beans instead of green beans. The menu would then instantly change and the conversation at the dinner table became very interesting. On Easter morning, approximately two thousand years ago, a tomb was opened. In Luke 24 the reality regarding the contents of Jesus empty tomb challenged the disciples, because dead people do not move (1-12). However, in searching the scriptures (13-27), their eyes were opened (28-32). The disciples now faced the reality that God’s work of salvation that had just been completed. They could not keep silent regarding their encounter with Jesus (33-36). My mother did not know the contents of the cans, but her experience upon opening them changed her conversation around the table. The same was true for the disciples of Jesus. But what about us? We live in a world that is governed by human expectation and measure. Like the disciples we struggle with beliefs when God changes the reality. The resurrection of Jesus should challenge our reality, change our beliefs and clarify our conversations. The open tomb and the resurrection point to the guarantee that we can have new life through belief in Jesus.
For More See LUKE