When Jesus was crucified and His dead body was laid inside the tomb, it appeared as if the greatest tragedy one could imagine had taken place. Those who had followed Him were completely distraught—everything seemed to have come to an end.
Overcome by emotion, they failed to remember that Jesus had prophesied His own resurrection.
Jesus Christ had repeatedly explained to His disciples that He would rise from the dead on the third day. Following His crucifixion, they were filled with such despair and grief that it made the words Jesus had spoken to them slip from their hearts.
When Mary Magdalene saw that the stone had been rolled away from the front of the tomb, she did not shout full of joy: "Hallelujah, the Lord is risen!" Rather, she ran to Peter and said: "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him" (John 20:2).
Even after His resurrection, His closest followers were so blinded by emotion that they did not recognize Him, even when He stood before them in person on their way to Emmaus.
And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?"...Then he said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken."Though Jesus Christ had walked among them every day, teaching and providing for them, their grief over His death obscured the promise of His resurrection from their hearts. The disciples finally realized that He really had risen from the dead and told Thomas, who had not been with them that night, that they had seen Jesus.
(Luke 24:15-17,25)
Thomas, still filled with unbelief, said: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25).
What was it that made the disciples so blind to the reality of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? Why was the heart of Thomas so full of unbelief? The answer lies in their despair and grief! Isn't it tragic that their mourning, for the very One who now stood alive before them, made it so they could not recognize Him?
This is why Jesus asked: "Why are you so sad?" (Luke 24:17). The disciples were unable to distinguish Jesus because their eyes were not turned toward Him; they were focused on their own grief and depression. Despair and grief had them under such control that they couldn't possibly see anything else.
Jesus Is Risen! Jesus Is Alive!
Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?Do not turn your eyes toward your despair and grief. Do not look at your situation—do not let the circumstances and your depression hold you prisoner. Look at Him—He is alive! Do not let anything make you blind like the disciples, who were unable to realize the truth.
(1 Cor. 15:54-55)
To them everything was lost—in reality everything was won! The same is true for you and your situation too. This is the message Jesus wants us to hear.
Oil Of Joy For Mourning
Whatever your problem may be, Jesus has the answer. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, like when Mary Magdalene stood before Jesus' empty tomb, His death had already been resolved. Jesus wants us to have the solution to our situation too.
However, we cannot just simply stay before the empty tomb, captured by the despair of our situation and the grief that He is not there—because He is here!
We simply must turn our eyes away from our need and look to Him and His precious Word. The one who only looks at his need will be filled with increasing desperation until he is unable to receive Jesus' promises. Just like the disciples, desperation will capture the heart of such a person so strongly that the promises of the Word will be wiped off his heart.
Someone who learns by his doctor that he only has a few more days to live must not yield to the grief about this news, but should instead rise up, revolt and exclaim the promises of God: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD" (Ps. 118:17).
While visiting the city of Nain, Jesus raised a man from the dead. When he met the boy's mother he had compassion for her, and said unto her, "Weep not" (Luke 7:13).
Stop mourning! There is no reason for that! Jesus did not want her to leave the smallest space in her heart for mourning and despair for her son. He had come to her to turn her mourning into joy.
Not Only Hope, But The Solution
Jesus Christ wants to meet your greatest needs. Whatever your problem may be, Jesus Christ is the solution. If we turn to Him in prayer, we will not be disappointed. He is "El Shaddai," the God who is more than enough.
He is a healing, delivering, and a providing God. He breaks every chain and every bond of the enemy. He hears and answers prayer! Jesus Christ answers prayer because He is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Heb. 13:8).
If He healed the sick and raised the dead two thousand years ago, He does it today too. If God canceled the debt of the widow with the oil (2 Kings 4) in the time of the Old Testament, He still is a debt-canceling God today too.
God answers prayer, because He has promised: "Ask, and it shall be given you..." (Matt. 7:7).
God answers prayer, because Jesus Christ has said: "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 18:19).
God answers prayer that He may be glorified: "Father, glorify thy name" (John 12:28).
Prayer can do all things—for God can do all things. Nothing is impossible with Him!
By the resurrection of Christ we don't just have hope; we have the solution to every problem you can imagine. By His death on the cross and His resurrection we have life. We do not need to yield to despair, for Jesus has already defeated the enemy.
In him we live, and move, and have our being.
(Acts 17:28)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Andreas Huebner, in full-time ministry since 1989. Happily married to his lovely wife, Martina.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God: Andreas Huebner's evangelistic crusades and conferences have been held in many parts of the world. People from all over the world have experienced incredible breakthroughs, new hope, healing, and even financial victories through his anointed ministry. He has spoken to some of the most impacting audiences and churches in the United States and around the globe. Andreas Huebner encourages multitudes of people through the Prophetic Gift and the Word of Knowledge new direction along the journey God has called them to.
