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Suggested Readings: Isaiah 52:7-10 and Luke 24
On Easter Sunday, a couple of women went to Jesus' tomb to anoint him for burial, but when they arrived, he wasn't there. The tomb was empty, and an angel greeted them with the shocking news that Jesus was, in fact, alive. The women hurried back to tell the others, and Jesus later surprised his grieving disciples by showing up in their midst.
Can you imagine what it must have been like? To think that the one upon whom you had laid all your hopes was dead only to have him suddenly appear in front of you. It had to have given the disciples quite a shock.
But oh, what a good shock it was.
Easter is my favorite, y'all. It's the foundation upon which our entire faith rests. Without the resurrection, Jesus Christ is just another dead prophet. Without the resurrection, death wins, and we are hopeless. Without the resurrection, we who call ourselves Christians are most unfortunate indeed. That's what the apostle Paul says, anyway (1 Corinthians 15).
Thank God for the resurrection. Because Christ has been raised, we are confident that death doesn't get the final say. Life wins, and we have hope for a future where there is no more death, no more tears, no more pain. There will be no more sickness or suffering or sorrow.
And that, my friends, is what Easter is all about. It's the first ray of sunshine after a dark, dark night. It's the preview of the main event. It's the assurance we so desperately need that everything is going to be OK after all.
And so today, on this Resurrection Sunday, I wish you a Happy Easter. May the joy and hope of that first Easter morning flood your hearts today and every day from now until eternity.
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