Empty. Risen. Victory.
“We worship an empty tomb.”
I saw those words written in a workbook my dad filled out from a New Member’s orientation class. I didn’t really process them till this past weekend. During our taking of the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, Troy mentioned how we are all so preoccupied with death during our worship services. It’s so true. We spend so much time agonizing of how Jesus was murdered for crimes he did not commit, and how we are sinful and undeserving of God’s grace. We spend so much time talking, singing, and meditating on the cross…
But the tomb was empty.
Sometimes, we trip over the cross and never make it to the tomb.
On Sunday, we had different tables set up around the auditorium, and went to those places to get the bread and the cup. We were instructed to spend time (gasp!) talking to the people around us, celebrating the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and that we don’t worship a dead Savior, but a RISEN Savior!
The positive, upbeat feel of the auditorium made me realize this is how it should be! The early Christians would have been celebrating. Why don’t we do that more?
It would be comparable to something happening to my wife dying in some horrible and unseen way. I would weep and cry and mourn. Then, a few days later, she walks up behind me and taps me on the shoulder. Would I still mourn her death? Or would I rejoice that she is still alive, against all odds? You can bet I’d rejoice!
And that’s what Jesus wants. The Supper is remembrance of his death, but only in as much as he as VICTORY over it. Without his resurrection, my faith is futile. It gives ALL OF IT meaning!!!
Because we don’t worship a crucified Savior. We worship a risen Lord.