When “Missing” is a Good Thing

Normally, when someone is missing, it’s a serious problem.

My son was missing!

We had just parked the car in an enormous parking garage at a mall in San Antonio. I looked down and my son — maybe 4 years old at the time — was missing! We were walking in a large family group, and Hubby kept telling me Son had gone on ahead — walking with a trusted family member.

But that didn’t matter to me. I was in an unfamiliar place, and I didn’t want to leave my child behind. I was in a panic — until I caught up to him at last.

Missing is important

Jesus told His disciples He would leave and return. They didn’t get it. So when He was crucified, they went into panic mode as well.

Then the women went to His tomb. He was missing! And an angel told them, “He is not here, but is risen!” (Luke 24:6a)

The most important Thought Twist of all?

Jesus’ body wasn’t missing because someone took it. The information in the 2nd half of the verse is the entire foundation of my faith:

BUT He is risen!

Missing is exciting!

Jesus stood up and walked out of that grave. And He folded a part of His wrappings – the part that, culturally, meant (at a meal) that He wasn’t done. He would be back.

We can believe that promise still today. He isn’t finished. He still has work to do, and we can join Him in that work. Put your shoes on, and jump on in. There’s work to be done because He is not in the grave.

But He IS risen!

PRAYER – USING 4 ASPECTS OF PRAYER

Adore – All praise to Father God and Christ Jesus for the empty tomb. The missing person story on which I built my faith. We praise Your perfect plan to give us freedom from death. And Jesus, we praise You for enduring such pain – and the separation from Your Father – just so we don’t have to…

Admit – So many times I get in a panic about things that would be better left for You to take care of. Forgive my fear.

Ask – Increase my faith. You have recently shown me time after time where You are at work. So grow my faith and open my eyes to more of Your workings.

Acknowledge – Thank You, Jesus, for going missing from the tomb!