He Is Risen!

April 4, 2021

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

~Matthew 28:5‭-‬6~

The women gathered to go see the tomb in which Jesus laid. When they came to it they found to their suprise something other then human. An angel! The message the angel had for these women? Jesus is not here! He is risen! The Lord knew who would be the first to come visit Him. The angel waited for their arrival to give them the good news! Just as it was when the angel was sent to give good news of Jesus' birth, an angel appeared to send the good news of Jesus' rebirth! Hallelujah, the King is alive! Can you imagine what had gone through these women's minds? The first words to come out of the angels mouth, "do not fear." I am sure their reaction to the sight of this angel was pure shock and perhaps they even jumped. Wouldn't you? However, God's so gentle that He wants His people to never fear first and foremost. "Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:30)

There are many times in the bible we can recall an angel appearing or God Himself with this very same response, "do not fear." God doesn't wish to frighten anyone, rather rejoice with us! This was a time of great joy. I am sure the angel's face was lit up with such excitment as they were assigned to give such glorious news, Jesus lives! The griveing period was officially over and the people were about to really see the truth. "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25)

What an amazing gift to these women who loved Jesus so dearly. How they must of been in awe at the very sight of this being and to top it off the news that there was no longer a dead body to visit. Jesus' promise was made and it surely was kept!

"Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)

As we follow our Lord Jesus Christ, each day should be a celebration of His resurrection as He is forever present and beside us. His promises live on and remain fulfilled. There is no devil that can withstand Him and there is no greater Name. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

This truely is a day to jump for joy, as I am sure the women did once the shock began to wear off. Jesus was about to make quite an entrance now; His glorified Body is now complete! We are truely blessed people. As gentiles, we have the ability to believe in Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God and live with Him for eternity! "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)

I just love how our Great God is so full of suprises. He loves to see joy upon our faces and He loves to catch us off guard when we least expect it, but never in a bad way of course. It's always for a greater blessing then we could have ever imagined. These women never expected what they found this day yet their surprise turned into great victory! God is so good to us! We are mightily blessed! The King is Risen and because of Him we are too! "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection." (Romans 6:5)

As we gather around tables today full of delicious food and warm company let us praise the Lord God for all of it and more, for it is His life we celebrate! God Bless you all and smile, Jesus is alive and smiling back!

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thank you for Your amazing promise of eternal life as You rose Your Son from the grave and showed the world You meant every word You said. Thank you for truth. Thank you for this glorious day of celebration with all of my brothers and sisters. It is because of You I am so blessed. It is because of You I live! Truely, I can not thank You enough and I am praising You all the day long. The devil trembles and the darkness flees, You are the King who has risen and nothing can prevail! Continue to glorify Your Name Lord, as You lead me out to wherever I may go. I am Yours and You are mine, there is nobody that can fill Your place in my heart. We honor You Jesus Christ, as we do each day yet today is truely special and joyful! We receive all the grace and mercy in Your Name that everyone knows is the Highest of all, Jesus Christ. Amen.