Lenten Words from Saint Stephen’s: A Prayer of DISCOVERY

Discovery. Beginning. Renewal. 
It’s a new beginning.

The discovery of the resurrection happened at the end of the Sabbath, when it was just sunrise.

It is remarkable that Jesus, not found in the tomb, was discovered by women who witnessed, it may be said, the greatest discovery in history.

Mark chapter 16:1 “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.”

They made the discovery that he was risen.

And they encountered an angel who told them, 

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6)

The scene showed us that angels exist. They have a place.

It was the angels who explained to the women what had happened to Jesus.

The greatest beginning was found by women and they told the disciples. That he had risen.

And Mary Magdalene ran to tell Simon Peter and the disciples.

He’s not in the tomb and then they see him. 

They had no idea that it was just a beginning.

Rebirth and renewal come after a new beginning.

Again…they discover Jesus is not in the tomb and then they see him.

The discovery in the tomb was a beginning. A beginning that meant something amazing happened.

The crucifixion is really all about the Resurrection. And that is where we have hope.

Hope, growing from the promise of what follows:
And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:9) 

— Bao Radcliffe