MARK 16:19. “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” SIGHT AND SOUND. The sound of a moving stone: large, embedded deeply in place, marks of authority broken, hands of celestial pressure easily moving it, to show the emptiness inside the ground it guarded. Even this stone cries out – “He’s Risen!”
The sound of voices: women wondering, How…who? Of indrawn breaths, of gasps of surprise, of joy restrained, of hope rising, of wonder, of fear, of lips open but wordless, of faith not fully expressed. Their hearts are filled – “He’s Risen!”
The sound of a man’s voice: understood clearly but not the words, comforting but alarming, enlightening but causing fear, giving assurance but not expected, making plain but causing confusion. No question about it – “He’s Risen!”
The sound of running feet: their garments flowing behind, their knees shaking until strength of hope comes, their eyes wide in amazement, hands empty now of spices dropped, mouths open but silent; except Mary’s – “He’s Risen!”
The sight of a new day: sunrise and an empty tomb, sunrise and hope-filled saints, sunrise and a voice from heaven, sunrise and a new eternal day begins, sunrise and the dead One lives, sunrise and the news begins to spread; “He’s Risen!”
The sight of a celestial messenger: “Go, tell them what’s happened,” and he comes from God; “Go, tell the disciples and Peter,” says the messenger, and the women run; “The tomb is empty,” says the women, and two men run and see for themselves; “He’s Risen!”
The sight of the risen Lord: Mary’s tear-filled eyes are lifted and see Him; Peter’s grief-filled eyes are lifted and He sees Him in private; two on the road lift doubtful eyes and see Him; eleven in a room lift fear-filled eyes and see Him: It is true, “He’s Risen!”
The sight of weeping saints: mourning in the dark room, recalling, fearful, night-time in the souls of all, uncertain, hope is gone, the sight of violent death remains in the eye of the mind, a sealed stone, guards: and then, right in their midst – “He’s Risen!”
The sight of an angel – the sound of his voice: “Be not afraid!” The sight of a Stranger – the sound of His voice: “Mary!” The sight of eleven in fear – the sound of His voice: “Peace be unto you!” The sight of a dark, lost world – the sound of His voice: “Go ye!” The sight of the ascending Lord – the sound of His voice: “I will come again!”
“O gracious Father: keep me from ever getting used to the fact that He is risen. I want it to be always as fresh in my mind as it was in theirs the day it happened. That fact even now as I pray, gives my day a jump-start. He is not dead and He keeps His promises. Can this be the day I see Him with these eyes? Amen.”