The Surpeise of the Ages

Because surprises can be negative or positive, people either dislike them or thoroughly enjoy them. A surprise suggests both the unexpected and the unanticipated.  If a surprise is negative it is disliked, hated, or detested.  When the surprise is positive it usually brings a smile to the face and joy to the heart.

After Jesus died and was buried, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to his tomb. There they were given a wonderful surprise that was explained this way: “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you” (Matthew 28:5-7).  What a wonderful surprise this must have been.  Not only was Jesus not in the tomb but an angel of the Lord told them that he had in fact risen from the dead and they should quickly go and tell the disciples this wonderful news.

We celebrate this great surprise today and commemorate it as Resurrection Sunday.  The Bible tells us that Jesus “Himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” (I Peter 2:24).  Jesus’ death satisfied the penalty for our sin which he voluntarily paid for all mankind.  By faith and trust in Him we can enjoy and experience everlasting life – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  By believing in Jesus and receiving him by faith we become part of God’s forever family. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

No wonder the songwriter (Alfred Henry Ackley, 1933) wrote the music and these words that express that Jesus is a living Savior. “I serve a risen savoir, he’s in the world today.  I know that He is living whatever men may say.  I see his hand of mercy; I hear his voice of cheer. And just the time I need him, he’s always near.  He lives.  He lives.  Christ Jesus lives today.  He walks with me and talks with me, along life’s narrow way.  He lives.  He lives.  Salvation to impart.  You ask me how I know he lives; He lives within my heart.”

Any individual can personally apply this surprise of the ages to their own life by simply believing in Jesus and putting complete trust in Him.  All of this takes place because of God’s grace.  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  The part we play is to simply believe and receive this wonderful gift.  “Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5:10-12).  Allow Jesus’ resurrection, the surprise of the ages, to impact your life.

Taken by Surprise

In most cases, things that surprise us are positive and fun.  We might receive an unexpected gift, have opportunity to participate in an unplanned event that materializes, meet a close friend or family member whom we have not seen for some time, or receive an unanticipated word of thanks or encouragement from someone.  These positive surprises bring a smile to our face, excitement to our life and joy to our heart.

However, there are other surprises that are not fun, turn out to be negative, and bring stress to us.  Some time ago two negative surprises came to my wife and me within one week – both our water heater and refrigerator quit working.  These unexpected surprises brought concern, distress, and even discouragement to us.  However, since we live our lives from a Christian perspective, we were reminded in Scripture about how we should approach any surprise whether it is positive or negative.  The Bible says, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).  Wow!  What an interesting verse and the words in it have several implications.  This verse reminds us how to approach any situation.

1)      Surprises will Occur.  Both positive and negative experiences will happen to us – as suggested by the words “whatever happens.” So, do not be surprised when something positive or negative happens to you.

2)      Action is Essential.  We have responsibility for how we act – as suggested by the words “conduct yourselves”.  Often when we are surprised – especially if it is something negative which we do not expect – and we tend to blame others or at least wonder “Why me?”

3)      A Standard is Crucial.  As Christians, the way we live our lives must measure up to a godly standard – as suggested by the words “worthy of the gospel of Christ”.  We do not have to wonder what the standard is, but simply refer to our guidebook, the Bible.

Have you been taken by surprise lately?  Was that surprise positive or negative?  Did you have more than one surprise?  How did you handle the surprise?  If you are a child of God, Philippians 1:27 gives guidance in approaching any surprise from a godly perspective.

The Surprise of the Ages

Some people do not like surprises, but most people do.  A surprise suggests both the unanticipated and unexpected.  Whatever the situation the surprise usually brings a smile to the face and joy to the heart.  Jesus had been crucified on the cross and was laid in the tomb.  When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb they were given a wonderful surprise which turned out to be some very great news.  “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you” (Matthew 28:5-7).

The great surprise had a wonderful, everlasting consequence. Because Christ lives, we who believe in, trust in, and have received him, shall also live.  Earlier, when speaking with Martha, whose brother Lazarus died, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).

The surprise of the ages turned out to the resurrection Sunday.  What a great Easter we can enjoy because of what Jesus has done for us.  He is indeed our living Savior.  No wonder the songwriter could write words and music that expressed the fact that “He Lives” (Alfred Henry Ackley, 1933).