Mary came to the garden alone while the dew was still on the roses, and the voice she heard falling on her ear, first angels - then the Son of God disclosed. And He walked with her, and He talked with her. From that brief encounter the resurrected Jesus appeared and claimed at least 500 eyewitnesses to the joy of overcoming death and destruction. Even now He speaks, and the sound of his voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that he gave to me within my heart is ringing. I'd stay in the garden with Him though the night around me is now gone. He bids me go; through His voice of promise that bids me tell others He is risen.
Christ is risen from the dead, Trampling down death by death, And upon those in the tombs bestowing life! (Pascha Troparion from The Divine Liturgy of Chrysostom, Orthodox Church)
God’s salvation shines in the darkness. Jesus arose from the death before dawn on Easter morning:
The Angels asked: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” - Luke 24:5-6 (NIV)
It’s Easter. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday & the Easter vigil proved the terrible events that led to the crucifixion, death and burial of Christ. Now we praise God for His resurrection from death. The empty tomb and the angels’ appearance to Mary give hope of resurrection.
Some of our loved ones are buried just a little ways from here. It may seem like one of your first Easters without that person, and your heart still aches, because he or she is no longer with us. As I stand beside my parents’ graves, I can feel a comforting breeze brake the stillness. The words of the angels continue to speak in my heart: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?"
These words should bring great comfort to you, also. Although your beloved child, parent, sister or brother's body was laid to rest, he or she lives with Christ. Tears may run down your face as you gaze toward heaven, knowing that God is tending to them and to you.
When loved one dies, we may forget that Christ is alive. But because he lives, there is hope for us and for those we love. In our life and in death, Christ is with us.
Let us “Sing the wondrous love of Jesus; sing his mercy and his grace. In the mansions bright and blessed he'll prepare for us a place. (Sing the chorus) When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory.”
Let's Dance for Joy and Hope of our own Resurrection when Jesus calls!
Another angel speaks from the tomb and says, “Jesus is not here; for He has been raised, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.” (Matthew 28:6)
One billion Christians (one of every three people one earth) are returning to the tomb with Mary in their own hearts and minds during this Easter season. Since Ash Wednesday they have prepared their hearts.
South Africans start their Easter vigil at 5:30 a.m. each Maundy Thursday. They load their rickety-tickity vehicles - overly full, with people, food, building items for tribal homes, clothing, bicycles, and even an occasional coop of live chickens. All go home to family, friends, and the familiar places.
Zion Christian Church, far north of Pretoria, hosts more than one million people this Easter. Hundreds of buses, mini-van taxis, and countless private vehicles make the annual pilgrimage. Roland Rink says that Easter is also their most significant day even if different Christian sects throughout the world celebrate it on a different Sunday. That’s why we call it “Easter Season.”
South Africans have already been celebrating this Easter day for at least 12 hours. People have been dancing throughout religious services across the land -- slowly at first, as befits the shadow of Good Friday; then with increasing joy, intensity, and fervor as they move toward the climactic resurrection celebration on Easter morning.
Let’s join their timeless dance in the empty tomb. The air is alive. People go back to share the news with others.
The strife is over. Let us dance with joy, because Easter is reason plenty to dance. If you can’t dance, then at least sing: “While we walk the pilgrim pathway, clouds will overspread the sky; but when traveling days are over, not a shadow, not a sigh. When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!”
Mary Magdalene turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus. (John 20:14) Mary, Peter, and the other disciples vacillate between confusion and jubilation when Jesus comes back to them. Even when John "saw and believed," he and the others simply went back home. Radical change is afoot. Their lives are changed now and forever.
Mary couldn’t seem to shake her deep grief while looking straight at Jesus. She didn't recognize Him. Only after He called her name did she finally realize who He was. John’s Revelation says: His sheep will know His voice.
What about you and me? Christ is at work in our daily activities, but do we recognize him? We may never become fully aware of all that Christ does in our lives, but we can be grateful when, even in hindsight, we recognize evidence of Christ's ongoing presence in our lives.
“Rejoice, rejoice, O Christians, lift up your voice and sing - eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King! The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find; none other is so loving, so good and kind. He lives, (he lives) he lives, (he lives) Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with us and talks with us along life's narrow way. He lives, (he lives) he lives, (he lives) salvation to impart! You ask us how we know he lives? He lives within our hearts.” He is alive. Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed. In His name of victory we thank You Lord, Amen.
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