Lo, I Have Told You

The first commission of the gospel, the first command–40 days before Jesus told the disciples to preach the gospel to every nation–the angel told the women to go and tell the disciples he had risen from the dead. He knew how the women felt; he knew how sad they were, how afraid they were. He knew they didn't realize what all was going on. They needed something before the most important work of all time would begin.

They needed assurance. They had seen him die and be buried. They saw an empty tomb. What they didn't see is what mattered. Before the truth of the words he is risen had time to sink in, the angel gave the first command: go quickly, and tell his disciples. He didn't say go to town; Jesus wanted his people, his disciples to know; they needed to know. They needed to remember what Jesus had told them.

As believers we have been told. Remember the Sunday of Easter, pause and reflect on what the Lord did. Have we gotten so used to Easter that we lose sight of its meaning? As a child, mom's made it special, but now have we gotten so acquainted with the cross and the blood that we let it slide off our backs. We should never get used to it. Nothing is more important….and the angel said lo, I have told you.

Bingo! It clicked. They heard it so often in the teachings of Jesus; the disciples had been told, but now they needed to know. We can believe in someone real and true–ALIVE. His presence makes the difference in our lives. We cannot go one hour without him, for in him we move and have our being. He keeps us going, helping us not to blend in with society. He keeps us focused and conscious of who we trust. God forbid that Easter is ever over. With it life is never the same.

The disciples were down cast but turned the world upside down for Jesus. Society doesn't change the fact that Jesus is alive. There will always be the gospel; there will always be salvation. We need to always see the Savior. The last words of Jesus were lo, I am with you alway. We were the first on his mind, and he takes care of his own. The holiday of Easter may be over at midnight, but Jesus won't ever be over. We need to be told time and time again the good news. Easter is for all time.

For all the Peter's, Thomas' and for all of us–for all we'll ever need in life–we need to know that Jesus is still alive; he's real and true. Nothing will change that. Jesus said in John 14 I am the way, the truth, and the life. We are told and shown this. We do not have to be afraid. He died but is no longer in the tomb; he is risen. Life is worth living.

We have been told. Let's believe it with all our hearts and go tell it on the job, in our daily lives, at church…the things not seen are real…and lo, we have been told.