"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 he 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..."
Praise God!! I love this description of the events of the very first Easter. And praise God that the pain and loss and confusion felt on Good Friday wasn't for nothing. Praise God that there is hope! Always hope, eternal hope.
There have been times in my life that seem like Good Friday, hopeless. I have friends and family who have been there or are there right now, stuck in the hopelessness of Good Friday - confused and frustrated, sad and ashamed. I have to remind myself and I want to remind them that there is hope! There is Easter Sunday always. Christ as risen, he has risen indeed! And we don't have to live with hopelessness or shame, we have been forgiven because of Christ's sacrifice and love for us. We, too, can rise again just as our Savior has done.
Praise God!!
Happy Easter!
