Day 39 | April 15

“It’s Too Good to be True!”

Mark tells of Christ’s appearance to the “eleven” following the resurrection.  Christ had appeared to numerous believers.  The eleven disciples who had been so close to Christ had yet to experience this reunion.  The reports of a risen Christ seemed to the eleven like nonsense.  In Mark 16:14, the faith of the eleven was put to the test.  Christ was suddenly in their midst, and yet they doubted.  Christ simply said: “Peace be with you”.  The eleven were startled and frightened.  Christ speaks, “Why are you frightened and why do you doubt”?  He then showed them his hands and feet.  Their reaction was still disbelief.

However, the eleven were filled with joy and amazement because they were with the one person they longed to see so desperately.  How could there be any joy in doubting?  It was as if doubting was a big band-aid being placed over the wound of losing their Messiah and friend to death on the cross.  What were the eleven feeling in the presence of the risen Lord?   IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!  

Do we twenty-first century disciples battle doubt?   Christ said, “Because I go to the Father, if you will trust me, you may ask anything in my name, and I will do it”.  Do we not often fear that God’s granting our prayer would be too good to be true?  We think, “I have been so weak and failed so often! To expect God’s generous forgiveness and mercy is just too good to be true!”  

The Bible offers scores of stories that tell us that nothing is so true as the assurance of God’s eternal love and good will to all.  What is the truth?  Christ took to the cross every human failure and sin.  A believer’s failures and sin debts have been paid in full.  Nothing is so true as God’s love and acceptance of each one of us as His Child, unconditionally.