But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they [the women] went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. The men [angels] said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:1-3, 5b-6a ESV

The sorrow and heartbreak of Jesus’ death on the cross still remains on that first day of the week as some of the women followers of Jesus go early to the tomb to anoint His dead body with spices as was the custom.

But that first Easter Sunday over two thousand years ago…had the same marvelous message for His followers as it has for us today; the tomb was empty! Jesus is risen from the dead! He has conquered death! This truth makes us want to share the “good news” with everyone we know.

Jesus died a horrible death on the cross. It was not only the physical torture and cruel taunting; it was the fact that He became drenched in the sins of the world. His Father, our Father God, could not even look at Him. God turned away. But it was finished, for you and I and everyone who would believe. Jesus was buried quickly in a borrowed tomb as the Sabbath was rapidly approaching.

After witnessing all of this, it would have been easy to believe that all was lost. The disciples scattered. Some followers came near the cross, waiting, hoping for a miracle that would save their Lord. Surely the Messiah could not die like this. What would happen now?

But the miracle, just not the one they were expecting, did happen. Jesus conquered death! He is risen! He ripped the “holy of holies” giving us direct access to God the Father. He offers all who believe, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. He gifts the Holy Spirit, the comforter, to every believer. He lives!

Jesus Lives! And Jesus lives through us. This week as many of us attend our church services, sunrise or regular, or simply gather together, let’s allow Jesus to live through us. Let’s allow our actions to shine “the light of the world”, Jesus, to our small part of the world.

Shining!

Praying for the sick, caring for others,

Feeding the needy, visiting the lonely,

Speaking encouragment, giving hope,

Strengthening the weak, shining Jesus!

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we celebrate that He is risen!

Blessings and joy as we shine the light of Jesus in a darkened world!

Edited re-post from 2020.