The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead.
The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee. Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you.”
The women were frightened and yet very happy, as they hurried from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and greeted them. They went near him, held on to his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid! Tell my followers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It almost never fails. When we go to see our nieces and nephews, Timothy and Zola run to us and cling to our legs. They are always delighted to see us…and they hold on as if to say, “I’m never going to let you go!” And honestly, there are several people who I would probably cling to if they came back from the dead…wouldn’t you?! So it’s no surprise that Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ Aunt Mary did this. They had suffered so much…they were so grief stricken…and all of a sudden, an angel had told them that He was alive – and then they SAW Him standing in the roadway. I would imagine that they were struck speechless…there was probably little else they could do but run to Him and fall on His feet! And I am quite certain they never, ever wanted to let go of Him again.
I honestly don’t think we fully grasp the concept of death…until someone is truly gone and does not come back. Even when we sit and hold vigil with a loved one who is critically ill…someone we have been told cannot possibly recover medically…we don’t fully comprehend the finality of death until the very moment they draw their last breath. In my own personal experiences, I have been so happy for the person who was ushered into heaven at that very moment…but the enormity of just how final death truly is has hit me like a ton of bricks.
So when someone says to you, “You’re never ready”…this is what they mean. No one can prepare for that moment when the angels of death come, Heaven’s gates open, and a person’s soul departs from his/her body. And here’s the thing…the only One who will ever return from this is Jesus, which makes His story all the more precious! Jesus is the only “human” the grave cannot hold. Jesus is the only One who is bigger and more powerful than death. And I am here to tell you, Jesus is ALIVE! He is walks among those of us who believe in Him each and every day!
The words of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” are just as powerful for us now…”Don’t be afraid.” Because of Jesus, we have no need to fear. Because of His crucifixion and death on the cross, our sins are forgiven. All we have to do is ask Him to include us…just like the thief who hung beside him…and it will be so forever and ever. Because the tomb is empty, we are assured of our place in Heaven with Christ someday…when God sends His angels for us. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we are promised new life in Him…and an eternity in His presence.
It’s been quite a week…from the jubilation and triumph of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem…to the “Last Supper” and the arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane…to Christ’s mutilation, crucifixion, and death…and now His resurrection. And this truly IS the BEST day…we have received the GOOD NEWS that He is Risen!
We will celebrate Jesus today. We will dress up and attend worship services and sing His praises. And then many of us will go right back to our old lives on Monday…if not as soon as Sunday afternoon. Don’t let this happen to you. Don’t forget what happened on “Holy Week” so long ago. Remember every minute of it…savor every single thing Jesus did for you…and for me…and for all who will believe in Him. Thank Him each and every day for the incredible sacrifices He made…for loving us with such abandon. And never – NEVER – forget that He is RISEN…the devil could not tempt Him…the tomb could not hold Him…and we WILL see Him again.
There is an old hymn, written in 1875 by Philip P. Bliss, called “Hallelujah, What a Savior”…or sometimes it is referred to as “Man of Sorrows.” In the hymn, the story of Holy Week is outlined…but the last line of each verse is…”Hallelujah, What a Savior!” Please take time to read this hymn. Think about the words and what they mean to you. Christ is Risen! He will come again for you…and for me. Hallelujah! What a Savior we serve! What a glorious day this is! Have a blessed Easter!
©2014 Debbie RobusHallelujah! What a Savior!
Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
No comments:
Post a Comment