Suddenly

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.                    Matt. 28.9

This brief cameo, from the events of the day of Resurrection illustrates the whole experience of Resurrection life in Jesus.

The unbeliever may suddenly experience an encounter with the living Christ. Life may be progressing in routine way, perhaps even in gloom as I sense the women felt on that first Easter morning. But, when they met with Jesus, any misery was dispelled. Their Lord was with them, truly with them this time, for He had conquered sin and death and was positively placed to lead them into the fullness of renewed relationship with God.

Suddenly He met them. God works often in the suddenlies. The women were likely in the depths of despair, grief and mourning and – suddenly – Jesus is there. But, more than this, he met them. An encounter with Jesus happens when He meets us. We may have searched. We may have made many attempts to draw near, to press in, but the action that saves proceeds from Him. It is when He determines the time is right that we might experience a suddenly. And, suddenly, all manner of things begin to fall into the right place.

We may seek and search, and this is good but, in the end, He finds us. He will meet us and maybe, like the women, we know that we are ready to meet Him. The women had come to the tomb looking for Jesus. We may, or may not, be aware that we are seeking, that we are earnestly looking out for Him. We can believe that He seeks us out for He himself said, the Father seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4.23).

When He meets with us, He calls to us in greeting. He invites us into relationship. Each time we encounter Him, He says “Greetings”. He is always ready to welcome us, to receive us, to acknowledge us and to join with us. He reminds us that we did not choose Him, but He chose us (John 15.16). This is true, yet we have the option of coming to Him or not. I see this as perhaps the most weighty exercise of any option there might be. He comes to us, maybe suddenly. He meets with us and extends greetings to us. He is inviting us to respond. We may turn away, or we may come to Him. Oh, that we might respond positively to His invitation!

Lord God,

I rejoice in this revelation of Your wonderful working. I thank You for this insight into the experience of the women on the day of Resurrection. I thank You that this same experience is available to all whom You choose and invite to respond to You, and for the reminder that Jesus welcomes us with loving greeting each and every time we turn to Him.

Lord, I pray for the countless unsaved on the face of the earth. I pray for a glorious season of suddenlies. I ask for the faith to believe that Your saving power will bring many that I know and love into true and lasting relationship with You. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name. Amen.