How Can We Say, “Thank You”?
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
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.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
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Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20
Jesus died for our sins exactly the way that God had ordained. It was precisely what He had promised. When we consider the horrible suffering that Jesus endured, we are staggered to realize He did it for us. Amazing! We didn’t deserve it. But He freely gave His life in obedience to the Father because of love.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I am so grateful! I want to say “thank you” to Him and I want to do it in the way that He desires. What can I offer? He already owns the universe. Whatever I bring to Him is something that is already His.
What does God want?
The first command is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” I’d suggest we ought to start there. Love Him! “We love Him because He first loved us.”
Okay, we need to work on that. Anything else?
Well, yes. God said we must love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Ooh, I thought it was hard to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love my neighbor? That’s a challenge.
Remember what Jesus did for you and how much you didn’t deserve it.
Okay, so love God, love my neighbor. Anything else?
Well, when it comes to loving your neighbor, Jesus said, “Whatever you do, for the least of these, my brothers, you do for Me.” So, find those who cannot repay you and serve them the way that Jesus deserves to be served. We owe this especially to the family of God.
And don’t forget that He also commands us to forgive those who’ve wronged us. He doesn’t say we have to trust them. He says we have to forgive them. There’s big difference but forgiveness is required, not optional.
Jesus already has all authority in heaven and on earth. So, as you go, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded us. And here is His promise, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Father, thank you so much for your amazing grace. Thank you that Jesus took our place. Help us not just to believe it intellectually, but to live it out existentially. And we’ll give you all the praise. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
