Looking In All The Wrong Places


We’ve all looked for things in the wrong places. It results in a lot of frustration. Whether it’s keys, a needed file, a particular tool, or any other item we simply can’t locate, looking in the wrong place always leaves us empty.

Joseph and Mary had once searched all over for Jesus when he was only 12 years old, and couldn’t find him. They looked for Jesus in the wrong places. The disciples came searching for Jesus once. When they found him they exclaimed how they had looked everywhere. It happened following the death of Jesus also, and those searching were met by an angel with an inquiry.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?" Luke 24:5

That's what the angel asked the women who came to prepare Jesus' body for burial following his crucifixion. I hope to meet this witty angel someday. He was pointing out that Jesus could no longer be found in a tomb. The angel would go on to say, "He is risen, just as he said."

We recently celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. It’s so important for us to remember that Jesus is still risen, and that we continue to walk in the power of the resurrection.

If not careful, it’s easy to do what those first century women did. We do this when we look in the wrong places. Every time we look anywhere other than where Jesus is we do what those women did. When we look to our careers for fulfillment, look to a relationship to make us whole, look to money to satisfy us, and the list goes on, we make the same mistake. We're looking in the wrong place, and it always comes up empty. Just as empty as the tomb that couldn't hold Christ. What the women were doing wasn't evil, but it wasn't right.

As we remember the resurrection we're reminded to look in the right place. 

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." Hebrews 12:2.

Jesus is alive, and easy to locate. In fact, he's standing at the door knocking. When we open our hearts to him he comes in and lives within us through faith. He's never really hard to find. You just have to know where to look.

Following the Son,

James A Williams 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Had What I Needed Today. I Always Do.

Image
Where’s the checkbook? I had searched high and low, and hadn’t been able to locate one. We rarely use checks for anything anymore, but I found myself in need of one. With my wife out of town I had called for some help. Sarai described to me where I would find them. In a red bag on top of a yellow bag under some sweaters beside the hamper in the spare bedroom. You may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. I may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. But after 28 years of marriage I’ve learned to not ask too many questions, and to stick primarily to nodding and smiling. I told her I loved her, followed the instructions, and soon had the checkbook in hand. Hmm? Next to the checkbook was a small blue folder that I immediately recognized. It’s where we keep our passports. I was a little surprised to find it here, because my wife was in Puerto Rico. You don’t need a passport to go to Puerto Rico, but my wife almost always carries hers with her when she travels. I
Read more

It’s My Turn To Be The Pop

Image
“ Children's children are a crown.” Proverbs 17:6 One year ago today my phone rang. I was looking forward to this call. “Hey, Dad. How are you?” “I’m alright.” (Standard response) He wasn’t alright. The cancer, chemo, and treatments had taken such a toll on him. This was Josiah’s birthday though. His first birthday. My Dad always called everyone in the family on their birthday and sang to them. He never missed anyone’s. It wasn’t pretty, and became a comical family joke yet we all looked forward to it.  I called for my son, Nathaniel, who brought his son, Josiah, over to the phone. I held the phone to Josiah’s ear and Nathaniel and I pressed in as we all listened to Dad sing. His voice was raspy and labored. Josiah’s eyes danced. Nathaniel and I smiled and laughed. Tears filled my eyes. He couldn’t stay on the phone long. He tired quickly and speaking was difficult. Josiah’s first time hearing his great grandfather sing Happy Birthday would also be his la
Read more

Christmas Reactions: A Look At The Responses To Jesus' Birth

Image
The reactions of children on Christmas morning can be priceless. The way their faces light up in response to the gifts, decorations, and lights communicates such wonder and awe. I have a grandson who is closing in on two. Sometimes when he sees things he literally gasps. So much of the world is still new to him. Just as I love a child's reaction, I love the reactions in the Christmas story to those who encountered the Christ child. The Bible uses specific words to describe many of the responses to seeing a baby unlike one they'd ever seen before, and the events surrounding his birth. Consider a few with me. Mary, " treasured ." (Luke 2:19) Mary so valued what was taking place that she "kept it in her heart." She would never forget these moments, and no doubt would draw strength from them later. Joseph, " marveled ." (Luke 2:33) From the beginning it had been too much to take in. He couldn't really wrap his brain around the m
Read more