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Problems and fears arise when we forget the Word of the Lord. This is what happened to the women when they made their way to the tomb on Resurrection Morning. They were hearing what common sense was saying, and they had forgotten what Jesus had said.

Never forget what Jesus Christ has said and taught. If we do, fear and doubt and confusion and worse can wriggle their way in.

We saw Him taken down from the Cross. He was dead and laid in the tomb, therefore He will remain lying there. They were so wrong. Things had changed. They had expected things to be as they had always been.

Sometimes, God has a real job changing us from our ways, and opening us up to His Ways.

It is not easy for common sense to come to terms with the Resurrection of Jesus.

The angels continue. He explained everything to you. He told you He would be delivered into the hands of sinful men. He told you He would be crucified. He told you that on the third day He would be raised. Then they remembered His Words.

By the way, do remember, Jesus does not get angry if we do not get it right first time round.

Two of these things had come true. Jesus was delivered into the hands of sinful men. Jesus was crucified. Could they not believe for the third?

We all need reminders of the words of Jesus, and we need reminding often. It is when we forget the Word, and it is when we get away from the Word, that things tend to go wrong.

I am not here to say and write things that are new, but things that are true. That is what is really important.

The women returned from the tomb, to tell the disciples what they had experienced.

That room must have been full of gloom and despair and sadness and disappointment.

They openly gave their testimony. There are times when we have to give our testimony. They told what they had to tell at that point. They spoke about what they had personally experienced. It wasn't the whole truth. That does not matter. It was sufficient.

Note how the men react. These are the men who had been with Jesus for three years. These are the men who had been around the table. They just did not believe the women.

They regarded the testimonies of the women as "nonsense" - verse 11 - idle tales. Actually, and this is what the text teaches - they thought the women were delirious, or fevered or sick. All the emotion of these past few days had surely been more than they could take. Not so!

These happen to be the men upon whom Jesus is depending for leadership in the Church. Even on Resurrection Morning there is no instant immediate positive leadership.

But the testimony of the women did touch one or two hearts - Peter and John.

Peter went to check out what the womenfolks were saying. Suppose it is true? The very least Peter could do is check it out. This is why it is good to check out everything in order that we may know and understand the truth.

What he saw confirmed much of what the women had said. Peter went away wondering – what has happened? He is a bit confused. What is this all about?

I have been with Him for three years. I had become His right hand man. I told Him that He could rely upon me, then I let Him down. Three times I let Him down.

I saw Him crucified. I know they put Him into that tomb.

Peter is wondering and he is a bit bewildered as he goes away on his own in Jerusalem to consider and contemplate all that was going on. We know that the Risen Lord Jesus appeared to him - verse 34. “Hello Peter,” as Jesus shows and reveals Himself risen and alive.

Whatever was about to happen over these next thirty years, Peter certainly had no doubt whatsoever that the Jesus who chose him and called him, and who later anointed and equipped him with the power of the Holy Spirit, was risen from the dead and alive.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Comfort in Isaiah II (12-14-10)