He is Risen!

  

   “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them. ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the Tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.’ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and he went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths, lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.” (John 20:1-8)

   Mary Magdalene was then standing outside the tomb after the two disciples went away and she saw two angels sitting where the body of Jesus had been placed. They asked her why she was weeping and she responded that “they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” (John 20:13b) Then she turned around and saw Jesus but she did not know it was Him.

    “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ She supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, ‘Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary’ She turned to Him and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher.)” (John 20:15-16)

   By these words, and many others found in the New Testament, we can know for sure that Jesus arose from the dead on that Easter morning over 2000 years ago! He had died a horrible dearth on a cross for our sins on a Friday and arose from the dead, just as He had predicted, on that glorious Sunday morning!

    We have four accurate accounts of the resurrection in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Matthew and John were eye witnesses and Luke and Mark interviewed others who had been eye witnesses to this glorious fact of history. If perhaps you have seen the recent movie, The Case for Christ, or read the book by Lee Strobel, you will find great encouragement in the facts uncovered by this man. He was at first a skeptic, who set out to disprove the truths about Jesus and the resurrection, but became gloriously saved as he learned the real facts on his spiritual and historical fact finding journey.

    We can truly rejoice today as we remember what our Lord demonstrated for us by his death and resurrection as we celebrate that fact that He has paid the price for our sin, has triumphed over the grave and demonstrated that He is the one who sits on the right hand of God and intercedes for us day and night and will call us home when we die or take us with Him when He returns to the earth.

   “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you into Myself; that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3)

    Jesus has had over 2000 years preparing a place for us. Are you going to spend eternity with Him or are you going to be cast into the lake of fire? He desires that you be with Him and He is waiting for you with open arms if you have not already surrendered your life to His lordship. If you have you can rejoice now and for eternity. If you have not, do not delay, come to Him today!

   We can rejoice today over the good news of Jesus Christ who has risen from the dead! He is risen indeed! He has conquered Satan and death and has been set up as our Great High Priest in heaven! He is coming again, and maybe, in the not too distant future! Come Lord Jesus come!

PRAY:

1.     That I will take time today to thank the Lord Jesus for dying on that cruel cross and rising from the dead that we might all have the opportunity to be saved to live victorious lives now and eternal lives with Him forever!

2.     That I will never forget the price that has been paid for my salvation and that we have all been bought and paid for with a great cost.

3.     That I will allow the Holy Spirit, who lives within me, to control my life so that I can testify to others of what Jesus has done for me.

1.     That I will love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and strength and I will love all the people God has put in my life, even those that are hard to love.