Morning Devotional
April 20, 2003
“The Way Of The Cross”
by Don Emmitte

But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside. So they went in, but they couldn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He has risen from the dead! Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?" Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back to tell his eleven disciples and everyone else what had happened. (Luke 24:1-9 NLV). 

“Happy Easter!” That greeting and others much like it will be used in every corner of the world this morning! Millions of people will gather to worship with one focus, the resurrection of Jesus! I have often mused about the diversity of the Christian Church.  There are so many traditions and beliefs within those traditions that it is difficult to adequately grasp the great diversity. Yet, this morning every pastor will be preaching from the same theme! There will be different emphases and illustrations used, but the theme will be the same. Everyone will hear some message centering on the hope that is ours in the resurrection.  

With that in mind, I began to think how easy it is to lose that hope in the face of trial and difficulty. Annie Johnson Flint has written the following poem, “The Way of the Cross”: 

Some of us stay at the cross,
Some of us wait at the tomb,
Quickened and raised with Christ
Yet lingering still in the gloom.

Some of us ‘bide at the Passover feast
With Pentecost all unknown,
The triumphs of grace in the heavenly place
That our Lord has made His own.

If the Christ who died had stopped at the cross,
His work had been incomplete.
If the Christ who was buried had stayed in the tomb,
He had only known defeat,

But the way of the cross never stops at the cross
And the way of the tomb leads on
To victorious grace in the heavenly place
Where the risen Lord has gone.

 Are you still looking for the Risen Christ at the tomb?  He is NOT there! He is risen! Celebrate and live in your new hope! The way of the cross leads there!