Parental leverage of the Resurrection.

Wouldn’t it be convenient if we could use the Bible as a reference encyclopedia of instructions?  Have a question?  Look up the relevant key words in the index and find a definitive answer.  Of course there are some very clear texts about behaviour - the Ten Commandments, for example.  But what about a clear text that if you borrow dad’s car, you have to put gas in it before you get home.  Or, if you work in a grocery store, you will ensure all four of the cart’s wheels roll smoothly and in the same direction at the same time.  You get a wobbly cart?  Pull out your Bible and demand one that rolls properly.  

That would be an effective way to represent Christ well.

There is one verse in the New Testament which, with a little sanctified imagination, does come close to providing parents with a key weapon in their arsenal of “clean up your room” tools.  The Apostle John tells the story of Jesus’ resurrection and includes this detail:

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. (John 20:6-7 ESV)

There it is, in black and white:  the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head was neatly folded up.  The parental argument could go something like this:

“If Jesus, as part of the resurrection, had the time and made the effort to neatly fold His head cloth before leaving the tomb, certainly you can pick up your jeans before going out to play.”

Parents 1, kids 0.  How can you argue with Jesus?

I’m pretty sure the Apostle John would cringe if his narrative of Jesus’ resurrection were used that way.  The very next line in John’s narrative brings the focus to the proper issue:  “Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.” (John 20:8 ESV)  The “other disciple” was John himself.  Isn’t it interesting that their faith was not solidified until they witnessed the resurrection in spite of all the wondrous things they had seen Jesus do and teach?

Their actions do give insight to their initial thoughts and reactions.  There was disbelief at the empty tomb as evidenced by the tears and attempts to find explanations why the body was not there.  There was fear as Jesus’ followers met in a private room with the door locked.  There was astonishment when He suddenly appeared in their midst.  Thomas, who was not there, didn’t believe what people were saying even though there was a substantial choir of voices asserting the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.  There was plenty of doubt and very little belief.

The resurrection is the pivotal moment for them and for us.  It is hard to put ourselves into their shoes because hindsight is 20/20.  We know the end of the story.  We have the complete New Testament.  They did not.  “Tsk, tsk,” we may be tempted to utter with a shake of our heads.  Yet how often do we wrestle with the same struggle to believe?

I love the way John tells the story, how he concludes his complete documentation of Jesus’ life:  “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31 ESV)  

There are no details about the “other signs.”  After all, what could be more dramatic or significant than the resurrection itself?  John was not writing to hype Jesus’ ministry.  He simply wants people to believe that this one Jesus, the “Lamb of God” as He is introduced in the beginning of the Gospel, is the Messiah.  This Messiah has acted in unexpected ways and accomplished unexpected things.  The legacy He will leave behind also will be marked by the unexpected.  The least will be the greatest, the first will be last.  The priorities of the Kingdom of God will stand in stark contrast to the world around it.

This kind of belief is a shock to the system.  It isn’t what the disciples expected and it isn’t what we expect.  But then again, who would have expected the risen Saviour to take the time to be sure His head cloth was neatly folded before leaving the tomb?  Isn’t that part of the essence of faith - embracing the unexpected?