He is Risen Indeed!

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. . . The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”  John 19:17-18

     I love the early morning. No movement. Quiet stillness. The birds are just begging to make their first chirping sounds. The silence is refreshing, like dew.  It was still and quiet that first Easter morning outside of Jerusalem.

After a week of horrific events, two women named Mary were on their way early that day to visit the tomb of Jesus. Just two days before, His precious life was taken at the hands of an angry mob and a cast of mocking soldiers. I imagine the women were emotionally exhausted.

As they got close to the grave, the ground began to shake. The earth shook, and a mighty angel rolled back the huge stone in front of Jesus’ tomb. Sitting on that stone, the angel makes this life-giving declaration, “Don’t be afraid.  I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. He is risen, just as He said!”

WOW!  That first sunrise worship service is still reverberating through eternity.

Jesus, who was dead, was now alive.  Death, thinking it had defeated the Son of God, was left in the grave.  Resurrection life and power came bursting forth into the world.  Everything changed early that first Easter morning.

I am so grateful for God’s amazing plan of salvation. When we all thought it was over, God was planning an act that would forever blow our minds. His resurrection power was so incredible, it literally shook the ground!  It was an earth shaking event!  The resurrection of Jesus stands as a lighthouse for all of time.

We have all experienced setbacks. We have known times of death and destruction. Those moments come into every life. They leave us reeling mentally and emotionally. We feel like Mary and Mary did that morning. But Jesus’ resurrection changed everything for those ladies. And it can change us too.

Jesus’ resurrection changes everything about everything.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, there is no situation that He cannot transform.

Because He is alive, here is no life that He cannot restore.

Because He conquered death, there is no evil He cannot overcome.

He IS RISEN. And because He rose, no trial or suffering is the final answer. Life defeated death. His life is now offered to every person every moment of every day.  Easter is a time when we celebrate His resurrection. But the power of His resurrection life is a gift that is available to us now and forever. Every day is a resurrection day if we receive it by faith!

He is risen. Let’s celebrate. He is risen indeed!

Pastor Tom