Easter Joy
The trauma is great. Their beloved Messiah has been crucified and buried in a tomb. How can such a thing happen?
Distraught feelings permeate the band of Jesus’ followers. Their lives are turned upside-down and they don’t know what is coming next. Sure, Jesus had spoken of returning, but what did that really mean? They feel like they are also targets for Roman punishment and fear is rampant.
With all this going on, some of Jesus’ followers venture to His tomb. Scripture describes their encounter as this:
“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. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
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. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples. “(Matthew 28:1-8 NIV)
I can imagine the earthquake shaking these women up. Not only that, but they expect to come to a sealed tomb and instead they find the gravesite open and a glorious angel at the entrance.
These women are the first to hear the magnificent message of Easter – Yes, Jesus was crucified, but death could not contain Him. He did as He said and three days later, He is alive and risen from the dead!
These women take this great message of joy and immediately go and tell the other followers of Jesus.
We have the blessing of seeing the entire Jesus account and can see better how all the pieces fit together. Our task is the same as the angel gave to these women – “go quickly and tell…”
As we celebrate the joy of Easter, may we also consider how we can share this wondrous news with those around us. It is much too great a message to keep to ourselves. Our world is hurting and needs to know that we have forgiveness and hope through the life and death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.
My dear friend, I wish you much Easter joy today. May you glow and rejoice with the knowledge of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for you – one that He did with immense love.
Enter your email below and don’t miss out on the next blog posts.
We post weekly – Offering hope and encouragement.
