"Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen I am the resurrection and the life. Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. My Lord and my God. [Mark 24:5, 6] [John 11:25] [Matthew 28:10] [John 20:28]
We were taught very early at school that there are four kinds of sentences -- declarative, interrogative, imperative and exclamatory. In speaking each and every day, no matter the language, expressions are conveyed -- statement, command, exclamatory and question. When it comes to questions it is natural that answers are expected.
The question is asked, "Why seek the living among the dead?" A profound statement is made, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die, and those who live and believe in me will never die." The command is given, "Go tell my disciples to meet over in Galilee and that I am risen indeed." And an exclamation, "My Lord and my God!"
The church calendar continues in the celebrating of the joy of Easter. As we look at this very poignant question in no less a place than the graveyard, daily because of what is happening around us, I am being called to remembrance -- why seek the living among the dead? Why do we continue to look for success, progress, fulfillment, enlightenment, excellence and continuity of faith and values in systems that are dead to the very core and not an iota of life anywhere in sight.
Why do we look for the promotion and upholding of things spiritual and righteous in the abyss of sin and degradation? One has to embrace change from former things to things that are new in mind, thought and deed. Why do we seek the upholding of the law in a society where lawlessness abounds and every man does as he pleases, including the stranger within the gates?
Why seek the living in areas where there is no kindred spirit to follow up when nationhood and brotherhood hangs in the balance of uncertainty? Why seek the living when kindness that was once our national hallmark has been replaced with heinous crimes, malice, envy and deceit?
Where there is no aspiration for excellence, decadence rules supreme. Why seek a clean environment where death rates high in uncleanness, poor sanitation and poor housing? Why seek the living among the dead -- morally, spiritually, financially -- dead in principles, poor representation, choices and decisions?
There are so many why's in the graveyard of happenings in our lives and in the life of our nation that I pray daily and yearn to hear the answer that there is indeed hope in the resurrection of positivity of all that is good, admirable, noble, valiant, kind, compassionate, gentle, forgiving, virtuous and true.
How sad, for the lack of love and regard of human lives, we resort to acts and deeds of violence that rob innocent persons of the right to life. We need to come out of the graveyards of violence and enjoy the garden of love, peace and joy that comes with the resurrected Christ. The graveyard of sin is cruel and beastly and does not bode well for humanity.
In Jesus we have the resurrection to old things that will become new in accepting him as Lord and Savior. He so wants us to go and tell others about what he can do for the turning around of their lives, their mental, social condition and their spiritual wellness. Only he and he alone because of his wondrous love, make us acknowledge him as our Lord and our God.
Yes indeed, why seek the living among the dead? I serve a risen Savior, 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. He lives within my heart."
o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, Facebook Ruby Ann Darling or write to P.O. Box SS 19725 Nassau, Bahamas with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God's blessings!
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