Too Wonderful not to Share!

Read: Luke 24:9-35; Luke 23:39-43

We long for it, don't we? There is nothing more welcome and nothing more appreciated. What is this desired commodity? The discovery of gold coins? No, it is good news. Especially beautiful when it comes after a time of sadness. Perhaps that was why, when we were blessed to have received two encouraging answers to prayer concerning friends for whom we have prayed, it was so sweet. We both shared their happiness and passed their good news on to others. Such blessings are too good to keep to ourselves, and they are received with great joy; yet, not all Good News is received with that enthusiasm. That was the case on that first Easter day. With that in mind, let's look into Luke 24 to see what happened on that day so long ago.

Mary the mother of James, Mary Magdalene, and Joanna who was Herod's steward's wife, had gone to Jesus' tomb. They wanted to finish anointing Jesus' body. A final loving act they could give their Master. Imagine the various emotions they must have experienced when they discovered that Jesus' body wasn't there; yet, the angels were, and the Good News they told the women was beyond compare. They were told that He had risen. Just as He had said that He would! What a message they had to share! Surely everyone would be jumping up and down with joy. Luke 24:9-11 tells us what happened when they told the apostles and others their wonderful news. They weren't believed. Their words were received as if they were idle tales.

As Luke's account continues, Luke 24:13-27 we notice that the two who encountered Jesus on the road had also heard the Good News the women had shared. Even so, they were sad. Saying that their hopes had been dashed. Showing the fact that they also didn't believe the women's words. Truth shared. The sweetest truth that anyone could ever hear. Jesus was alive. Salvation was available. Yet, the women experienced a reaction that we also often encounter. Those with whom they shared their sweetest joy, at least initially, brushed their words away. Thankfully, this was not the end of the story. In the remainder of Luke 24, we learn how Jesus changed doubters into excited believers. Men who then experienced the same wonder as the women had.

Wouldn't it have been exciting to have walked with Jesus and the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus as Jesus talked with them? Yes, it is true that they didn't understand Who He was at first. There was much about His plan that they didn't comprehend; so, Jesus gave them a crash course in prophesy. Unfolding the truths about Who He was.

Truths that were right there throughout Moses' writing, the psalms and the prophets. Truths that indicated that Messiah would suffer. They still didn't understand right away, but eventually they did. When they had stopped for the evening and when Jesus broke and then handed them the bread, their eyes were opened, Luke 24:35. Then they realized Who He was and the truth of the prophesies He had shared with them on the Road. The words they had been given by the women were true; so, they hurried back to tell the others.

What changed them? Truth and the supernatural opening of their eyes. God's truth and power changed their sad hearts into hearts on fire, and may God be praised. He is still doing the same thing today. Even if we aren't believed now. God is still at work. He is still opening eyes and changing hearts that are as hard as stone into hearts that are soft and pliable towards Him, Ezekiel 36:26. After all, He did that very miracle for each of us who belong to Him. We, at one time, didn't know His love, John 3:16. We were among those who at one time, didn't understand the Good News!

He is the same God Who changed the heart of one of the criminals who was crucified when the Savior was. Though this man had lived a wicked life and at first had derided Jesus, his eyes were opened so that he admitted his sinfulness and asked Jesus for entrance into His kingdom, Luke 23:39-43. What a reminder that no person is beyond the sweet and life changing grace of Jesus; so, let's continue to hold out the Good News. Relying on the Holy Spirit to change hearts. After all, we have the Good News that is too wonderful not to share.