The One Place on Earth Jesus Isn't

S - “And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. … And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:5, 6, 8 ESV)"

O - These verses not only record events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus from the dead; they also identify the one place on earth he is not. The angel says 'he is not here'. The grave (i.e.  this burial spot/ dead) is the only place he is absent from. He is the friend of sinners so he is in all the places they go … all of them. He is anywhere two or three gather in his name … anywhere. He is with all of his followers and will never leave them or forsake them. Never! In fact, the very last thing he said to his Father in his garden prayer was "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:26 NIV)

A - I am discovering how very true this reality is. Religion taught me there are many places Jesus won't go. I now know this to be untrue. Religion threatens others with the fear of abandonment. This too is not true. I have found that the Scripture and the practice of Jesus contradict this directly and completely. He has loved us first, most (more than I'll know and more than I'll ever be able to reciprocate), and he refuses to change his mind (even though I've given him reasons to change his mind many times). The women's reaction is more and more my own.  I am absolutely astonished at him and a trembling of overwhelming love finds me again and again. 

P - God who is love,

I am overwhelmed again as I think your thoughts with you, consider again the resurrection of Jesus, experience your presence this very moment and remember your relentless love for me/us through everything. I want my thinking, living, speaking and loving transformed to be like Jesus. I want/need to believe Jesus about earth and not just about heaven. I accept my purpose in this day and every day - loving you back with my all and loving my neighbor as myself. I accept the work you have called me and the whole world to -- the work of believing the person of Jesus … believing in the One you sent. I welcome you and your will on earth, in me and through me, like they do in heaven--fully and without reservation. Thank you for wanting me to work with you and never for you. Thank you for letting me/us live and pray in Jesus' name.

Steve