From Mark 16:1-8 / Seeking Jesus – When the three women in our text came to the tomb, they came expecting to see a corpse. And even today, many depictions of Jesus in Churches show Him dead on the Cross. But the angel’s words are significant here. Yes, they were seeking Jesus, but a Jesus they assumed was dead. His memory would be wonderful. Legends might grow up around His life and works. But they had no concept that a resurrected Jesus was whom they needed to seek. They were seeking a memory. Vivid. Powerful. Wonderful. But oh so incomplete. And so it is with many yet today. Absent the reality of Jesus’ cross-work consummated in His resurrection and ascension, they seek a snippet of Jesus. Some fixate on the inoffensive baby in a manger. They like the Jesus who doesn’t claim kingship over their lives. Some seek the healing, miracle working Jesus. They want His blessings, but not Him. Others seek Jesus on the cross. Dead for them, but having no claim over them now. But we much seek the complete Jesus – all of Him. Incarnate as a Babe. Manifesting the kingdom in miracles. Confronting sin. Calling men to repentance. Showing Himself to be God. Bearing the wrath of God against human sin on the cross. Buried in having fulfilled the wages of sin. But risen! Ascended. Seated at the right hand of the Father in glory – and waiting His return to rule and reign. Sending the Holy Spirit to indwell us. Continually interceding for His own. Jesus awaiting the day when all His enemies are put under His feet. The Jesus who will return to judge the world and everyone in it in righteousness. The last enemy of all to be conquered – death – vanquished forever. This is the Jesus we must seek. The whole Jesus. Do not try to cut Him up into the parts you like, while discarding the rest. Take Him as Savior, Lord and your all. For all of fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him. No wonder the universal by-line of the early Church was “Jesus is Lord!” Not Jesus is dead. But risen. And we as believers, are the sheep of this risen Lord’s pasture. I pray you know and seek THIS Jesus, today.