He Has Risen!

Several years ago, on Easter Sunday morning, a dear friend of mine went to be with Jesus. That particular morning, I was singing a duet with another lady from our church. Our song? I've Just Seen Jesus. Still slightly reeling from the news of Betty's passing, I blurted out, right before we sang, that we had to rejoice because Betty truly had Just seen Jesus. As the thought of that went through my mind, it was hard to stay focused on the song but the thoughts I had as the words came out were incredible. The whole scenario made it all so very real to me.

Luke 24:1-8 says:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷ ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” ⁸ Then they remembered his words

That Sunday morning,  the two Marys had went to the tomb, and found it empty. At first, they thought someone had taken the body. Then they were told by the angels, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!"  Jesus had tried to tell them this was going to happen, but they didn't get it. I had mentioned earlier this month that I was reading Max Lucado's He Chose the Nails. Yesterday, as I was reading, Max stated that Jesus told them three times He would rise again. Yet NONE of the disciples camped out at the tomb, waiting for it to happen. They truly believed Jesus' plan was over, little did they know, it was only beginning.

Can you even imagine what it will be like when we see Jesus? I try, I really try to see it but I think anything I can even imagine will pale in comparison. You know how when you have read a really good book and you have the visions playing in your head? Then you go see the movie and many times are disappointed because the movie just didn't compare to the one in your own head? I have this feeling that the day I get to meet Jesus face to face is going to pale in comparison to anything even in my head.

Last week, I challenged you to look at every little thing you do wrong every day, to truly concentrate on all the things that Christ died for. I think this little experiment has changed me. I have focused on trying to keep the little things from happening, and do you want to know what ended up happening? I have seen more miracles this week, and more blessings than I remember ever seeing in one single week in my life. Little things happened that I hadn't really paid attention to before, big things happened that I couldn't believe. I have truly had a remarkable Holy Week.

I also told you that last week was only half the story. If Christ would have stayed in the grave, we would have no reason to be rejoicing, but He didn't, he rose from the grave and conquered death. He lives today, so that I may live forever. No matter what we are going through here, we have a home, we have a place--Jesus made it just for each of us. He Loved Us That Much.

This is short this week, but I am going to ask that you spend these extra few minutes to just be still and consider the awesomeness of what Christ did for you. He would have taken the beating, carried the cross and suffered the agony of a crucifixion if you. were. the. only. other. person. alive.

May you have a Blessed Easter, rejoicing that the story here on earth is only our beginning too.

I am leaving you with the song I spoke of earlier, Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris singing  I've Just Seen Jesus.