He is Risen

Matthew 28:1-10

“ After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb of Jesus. Along the way, there was an earthquake, the appearance of a scary angel from heaven, Roman guards who fell to the ground looking like dead men, an empty tomb, a message from the risen Christ (communicated to them by the angel) and finally an appearance by the risen Christ himself.

This was quite a morning, a morning I am sure they never forgot.  It is a morning that we must also always remember; the morning of the resurrection.  The resurrection of Jesus validates who Jesus claimed to be, namely, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  Without the resurrection, Jesus would have faded away in history as just another Jewish prophet.  

The resurrection means that all people who believe in Jesus have a path to salvation, eternal life, and to God.  It gives our lives meaning and is the lifeblood of our faith.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1Corinthians 15:58).

Our faith, our work, our love is not in vain.

He is risen.  He is risen indeed.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)