New Life

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!"

This is my favorite epic story of all time. It illuminates for us our deepest hopes and dreams coming true. What was dead...is now alive! And it's not just a story about a guy who came back to life. We, too, are born anew. We, too, are a new creation. We, too, are given another opportunity to grow in relationship with our great God. Easter has always been my favorite holiday because it illustrates the hope for the world.

My other favorite part of this story is that He appeared to the WOMEN! This is noticeably different than say, every other narrative of that time, since women were seen as creatures barely above animals. But Jesus specifically appeared to the women because they were the ones who stayed. When all his disciples fled and ran into hiding for fear of persecution, the women stayed because they knew that they had a job to do. The women risked their lives out of love for their Lord. And Jesus recognized their good faith. I hope that I can be like Mary Magdalene and have the courage to tell others about the great miracle I have seen. Bravo to those brave ladies!

Happy Easter, everyone. Go and spread Christ's love to all you meet.

Peace.