Peter
So they quickly left the tomb, terrified but also ecstatic, and ran to tell Jesus’ disciples. (Matthew 28:8 ISV)
It was as if a sudden wind of fortune broke upon the lake, driving waves of countless fishes to our barren boats, lying listless and unready, in a workless bay. And we – too wary to venture a catch, for fear our nets would break and all be lost.
So it was, when the news was carried to us, like a fragrant balm on the sweet enraptured breath of voices fair. Our hearts were stirred, though weighted by despair, we dared not trust lest faith prove false and hope be quenched, so deepening distress.
If truly raised, the Lord would to the sons of Jonas and of Zebedee appear, who did his trust and confidence enjoy.1 Yet women from the first supplied his needs2 and at his cross remained3 while others fled.4 Their acts of love fore’er to be remembered and retold.5
With yearning hearts we ran the grave-ward path, the beloved disciple6 fast on my hastening heels, till when this ‘son of thunder’7 speeding past,8 halted at the tomb and looked inside. I raced on in and saw the wondrous sight. The grave clothes, tightly bound, lay in their place, deflated now and emptied of all flesh.9 This grave no longer held the dead and sleeping. His body gone, just as the women had said.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, our Great God and Saviour, thank you for sending your Son Jesus, to save us from sin and from death and to bring us life eternal, through the power of his resurrection. Amen
1Mark 14:33; Matthew 26:37
2Mark 15:41; Luke 8:1-5
3Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40; Luke23:49; John 19:25
4Matthew 14:50
5Mark 14:3-9
6John 13:23; 21:20
7Mark 3:17
8John 20:4
9John 20:6-7
Study by Richard Dempsey
About the Writer:
Richard Dempsey is an Elder serving Grace Communion church Cambridgeshire.
Local Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Cambridgeshire
Farcet Village Hall
Main Street
Farcet
Peterborough
PE7 3AN
Meeting Time:
Saturday 2pm
Except on the first Saturday of each month 2:00 pm when they meet at Comberton, Cambridge
Comberton Village Hall
Green End
Comberton
CAMBRIDGE
CB23 7DY
Local Congregational Contact:
Richard Dempsey
Email: richard.dempsey@btinternet.com
Local church website: www.cambridgeshirechurch.org
Word of Life Contact: wordoflife@gracecom.church