Last night I read the story of the crucifixion, but I saved the resurrection for reading on the way to church. Just imagine the story as if you were there-Jesus going to the garden and praying in deepest agony; Judas's kiss of betrayal, a rejection of all that is good and pure that has been duplicated by many; Pilate's frightened wife, and his own weak character; a maiden wondering in the courtyard; Peter, heart-striken, fleeing from the lies that would be paid for by Jesus' blood; Judas repenting too late, and despairingly searching for hope in suicide; Barabbas, free because of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus taking HIS place; the cries of the crowd, some mocking and some broken; the rough wooden cross that would become a religious symbol to the end of the world; the heavy nails breaking Jesus' skin and boring into the cross; the jolt of the cross being dropped into a hole; mocking soldiers and religious leaders; two thieves, one of who would believe; gambling soldiers dividing the clothes of their victims, and fulfilling prophesy blindly; final words that rended His soul as the division came as Jesus was pushed away from the Father and rejected by humankind so that He could become a bridge to eternal life. Do you see it? Imagine, dear friend-cries from the women who must have felt their souls being torn as Jesus gave His last breath; the tearing of the veil in the temple to the astonishment of all; resurrections and earthquakes shaking the villages; the hopeless darkness as life was given for lives; the jeering soldiers and crowd being silenced as all sin was atoned for; the soldiers piercing Jesus' side, where blood and water flowed out to cleanse all who will come; the precious broken body wrapped lovingly by friends, hurried by the impending holy days; the cold borrowed tomb, holding its precious treasure, being sealed by the stone on the door; Jesus' friends and disciples hurrying back to town, their hearts left somewhere behind them. Doubt. Fear. Disbelief that this could happen. Sorrow. Do you feel it? Imagine the darkness of those three long days.
The Bible does not say everything about that morning, so let me take some space and imagine that day. Heartbroken women are scuttling down a dusty path quietly, bent on their mission to embalm their Lord as their last respects to the Messiah that they had loved so dearly. Little clouds of dust rise from the path their sandals take. But wait-the stone. What will we do with the stone? How can we, several women, push aside a huge stone? And there are soldiers-but that is nothing compared to that stone. We are near the tomb. It is still and quiet. A bird sings jubilantly, and we hate his song this morning. He has no right to be happy when our Saviour is dead. And then, as we turn toward to tomb and see it at last, the most glorious sunrise bursts around us. Golden light-but wait! There is more then the sun lighting this hallowed place! Shining men are sitting on that stone we worried about, and their silver light is fascinating. Roman soldiers are prostrate on the ground, and we feel fear as well. Surely these can only be messengers from Jehovah. Yet we are told that our Saviour, Jesus, is risen, as He said before His deathand we are to go tell the glad tidings to the disciples! The angels bids us look, and we see an EMPTY tomb!!!
And then I think of the other glorious events. However, I love Mary's story best. Tears streaming down her checks, she must have been broken hearted, believing that her beloved Master was stolen. Believing that she was speaking with the gardener, she begged information as to Jesus' presence, promising to care for the body herself. Jesus, and I see Him saying it so gently and sweetly that Mary would remember it for the rest of her life, then spoke to His loyal follower-"Mary". And she worshipped.
Writing this post has helped me personally to feel even more connected to my Saviour. Like Mary, I reply, "'Rabboni'; which is to say, Master" (John 20: 16b). Jesus is everything. God is everything to me. And I pray that if you have not been cleansed by Jesus' blood as of yet, that you will accept Him as your Saviour today. Read John 3:16-"For Go so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life". And that means me, and it means you and all your family! "Whosoever" means "whoever will". If you will go to Jesus, God will take you in!
Well, your writer friend must sign off now. More posts coming soon! May the blessed message of Easter and Resurrection Sunday touch you as never before! Jesus is rise; He is risen indeed!
Lots of love,
Indi
John 3:16
(and if you want to read the Easter story, I read John 18-20; the chapters aren't as long as you think!)