Happy Easter!

Imagine that someone you really love had died two days ago. Your heart is breaking. You grieve for your loss. How will your life go on without him or her. You will never again hear the sound of his voice. Her humorous stories are now just a memory. You will miss your walks together; the times he helped you heal and made the darkness disappear; the way she brought out the best in you and overlooked your many faults; and how he forgave you when you offended him. And now as you sit alone and think about all that he meant to you, your heart aches and you cry...

Now suppose that someone came and told you that she went to visit your loved one's tomb and it was empty! She must be mistaken! "Are you sure you went to the the right tomb?" "Did someone steal the body?" "That's impossible!" "That grave  was surely protected by some security system!" Now you are really upset. What kind of cruel joke is this? So you decide to see for yourself and discover that it is true. The body is missing.

Then your friend tells you that your loved one was seen nearby and has left a message for you. He's got a couple of things do first, but he will see you shortly. So you gather his friends together and wait for him to show up. And suddenly he is there standing beside you asking for something to eat! Words can not describe the joy and peace that fill your heart! 

Now imagine the sadness Jesus' mother, Mary, his disciples, friends, and followers felt at the loss of her child, their teacher, companion, and deliverer. They loved him. He was only 33 years old. They weep for this very Jesus who wept at the loss of his friend, Lazarus. Yes, Mary knew that Jesus' death was unavoidable, but she was his mother. And no mother should have to watch her child die like he did. But what were his followers thinking? "Did we get this all wrong?" "Are we next?"

Perhaps you now have some inkling of the joy and peace that flooded the minds, bodies and spirits of those in the upper room when Jesus appeared to them in his completely healed and glorified body! 

John 20:19-23

As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be to you." But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. He said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they still didn't believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. He took them, and ate in front of them.

Jesus was a gift from the Father to us. Let us thank him for the peace Jesus' resurrection brings to all the world. Death has lost its sting. The devil as been defeated. We will live again! Alleluia!

Now go and serve our risen Lord!

John