He is Risen!

What was that first Easter like? I can imagine for the friends of Jesus that weekend was a time of great sadness, but also of wonder. I can imagine many of them sitting around a room trying to make sense of what had happened. One of the disciples would ask, "What did he mean when he said he was able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days? Could it be... I mean, is it possible... do you think..." I can imagine another disciple jumping in and asking, "What is going to become of us? Where do we go, what do we do now?" Another disciple might be cursing at Judas for betraying Jesus. "I should have seen it coming, he was up to something, I just didn't know what. If only I had done something, we could have prevented this from happening." Peter might be just sobbing with guilt in a corner saying, "I am no better than Judas. He told me I would deny him, and I wouldn't listen. I kept saying, I'll never deny you Lord, and yet, just a few hours later, I denied him. Not once, or even twice, but three times I swore that I did not know him. He died alone, I wasn't there for him when he needed me most..." Finally another disciple spoke up and said, "We need to get some rest. We will figure out what we are going to do in the morning".

Can you imagine after a night like this waking to some of the women coming and talking very fast, and not understanding what they were saying because they were too excited. Can you imagine starting to understand what they were saying. "What do you mean he wasn't there? Who stole his body? Who told you this? He has what? He has risen?! He is alive? Can this be? Are you sure? Where is he now? Hurry, we must go see him."

It might be many years ago that this all happened, but for Christians, it is like it only happened yesterday. The story of Christ sacrifice and resurrection gives us hope. Our Savior has conquered death. We have victory over sin. We are not left in despair. We are left with the glorious truth that Christ died for our sins so we can spend eternity with him in paradise. I pray you have a wonderful Easter celebrating this precious truth.