It took awhile for the news of the resurrection to get to the Patpatar, a couple thousand years actually. But when it reached them, how did they react?
The power and the results of the resurrection of our Lord would eventually be understood by the early Christians, yet that Sunday when the angel said, “He is not here for He is risen as He said,” was a day of uncertainty and confusion. The women were excited, afraid, and not believed. Some of His followers had their sadness turned to amazement by their conversation with a ‘stranger on the road’. The disciples were uncertain, doubtful, and scared. But on the second day, on Monday, when the news began to sink in, I imagine their reactions began to change.
It was on that day, I think that the news began to be spread. It was on that day, that the miracle of the resurrection began to be understood. It was on that day that the Gospels message began to first be shared in its fullness…the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior. The Sunday that Christ rose from the grave was the day that changed history for mankind, but I am guessing the days that followed when people received the news were the days that changed the history of individuals.
Last year around Easter time we had the chance to share the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to some Patpatar folks who had not yet heard the clear Gospel message. The news and reason for it had finally reached them. It was on that day that their lives were changed for eternity.
Not long ago, I was able to share this story and some others with some men who produce a newsletter with New Tribes Mission for people interested in partnering in the task to see the unreached, reached with the Gospel. Here is a link to that article: http://usa.ntm.org/data/sites/1/images/p2p/P2P01-2013.pdf. The story of the Patpatar is on pages 4-6. If you want to see more info on the worldwide task and other newsletters, videos, and pictures you can use this link: http://usa.ntm.org/partner-to-partner.
Thank you for your part in spreading the message,
Aaron
Fact: For those who have trusted Christ as their Savior, we live in the power of the resurrection Sunday. Now it is our obligation to those who haven’t, to live in the Monday of proclamation.