It’s kind of neat when my different readings in the morning come together . . . when they emphasize one another . . . when they are used of the Spirit to provide some clarity . . . when, by coming together, they are used to impress upon me afresh some truth of Scripture. This morning Psalm 70 and the first part of Matthew 28 combine to remind me that there is great reward for those who seek Jesus.

“Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, ‘Let God be magnified!'” (Psalm 70:4)

At first, this appears to be a command to obey. Those who seek the Lord should rejoice and be glad in the Lord. Those who love the Lord’s salvation should praise the Lord. But my reading in Matthew 28 added another dimension to the Psalmist’s exhortation . . . more than “command and obedience”, there is also something of “cause and effect” in the Psalmist’s words. Rather than a command, Psalm 70:4 might be more of a promise. Check out the resurrection morning happening in Matthew 28:1-10 . . .

Jesus has been crucified and buried . . . the Sabbath has passed . . . and on the first day of the week Mary and Mary head to the tomb of Jesus (28:1). And there they encounter an angel, his countenance like the lightning, his clothing as white as snow (28:3-4) . . . and he’s perched atop a rolled away stone beside an open and empty tomb. And he says to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen, as He said . . .” (28:5-6). He then instructs them to go quickly and tell the other disciples. And, as they ran off, stoked with fear and great joy, “behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘Rejoice!’ So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” (287-10).

Ok . . . so is it just me, or did the the Mary’s just provide a “true life” object lesson validating the “cause and effect” promise of Psalm 70? Those who seek, rejoice . . . those who love Him, worship Him. Said a little differently, if I want to know rejoicing . . . if I want to burn from the inside out with an inexpressible joy . . . then the way to prime the pump and fuel the fire is to seek Jesus.

That’s what those ladies were doing that Sunday morning . . . the angel knew it . . . “I know that you seek Jesus.” Though it wasn’t rationale . . . though they had no idea what going to the tomb of a dead man would accomplish . . . their love for the Rabbi . . . their desire for the Teacher . . . their faith that He spoke words of truth and was Messiah . . . it all compelled them to seek Jesus. And they met Jesus . . . and Jesus greeted them. The other translations emphasize that Jesus used a common greeting upon meeting the women . . . but the greeting was “Rejoice” . . . “Rejoice exceedingly” . . . “Be glad” . . . “Thrive and be well!” . . . and I’m thinking the ladies did!

It’s what the Psalmist says should happen. That those who pursue the Lord, rejoice in the Lord. Sure, it could be a command to obey . . . but what kind of rejoicing is it when I have to “make myself rejoice.” But, if by seeking Him I find Him, doesn’t the joy then just kind of flow naturally . . . or supernaturally as the case may be? Doesn’t the exultation burst forth when I encounter the living Christ? Magnifying God is just the result of interacting with the One who saved me. So, I don’t need to work at rejoicing and praising . . . I’m to start with seeking and passionately pursuing.

What if I were to set my face and feet towards the tomb starting today? What if I cranked up the “seek factor” in my life over the next couple of weeks in anticipation of Easter’s resurrection reminder? What if I took Jehovah at His word when He says, “You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you” (Jer. 29:13-14) . . . or took Jesus at His word when He says, “Seek, and you will find” (Matt 7:7)? I just might encounter Jesus . . . and it might be well before Easter Sunday . . . and it most certainly will result in rejoicing and worshiping . . . and I think I’m up for that.

Seek Jesus and rejoice . . . yeah . . . amen!