He is not here; for He is risen, as He said!

"He is not here; for He is risen, as He said." Those are the most beautiful words for us to hear. What was it like that first Easter Sunday for the women who went to the tomb with spices in their hands, to anoint the lifeless body of Jesus? They had witnessed the grotesque way of torture & death that Jesus had experienced...and had the disappointment of hoping He was the One who was prophesied...what a sad day for these women. A hopeless day. All that was promised, all the miracles, all the beauty of that man~ gone. Dead. In the tomb; sealed with a large rock. Who would be able to roll the stone away so they could annoint His body? Would the Romans allow such a thing?

Upon coming to the tomb, "there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 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 was lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." (Matthew 28:2-7)

The angel from heaven rolled the stone away and the response of the guards? They are still as though dead. How did the angel deliver the message? Sitting on the ROCK! It is finished. Now I have told you. Go. Deliver the message of the good news! ..."Just as He said..." What good news it was & still is. This is the defining moment in history. There is no body. Jesus has risen from the dead. He defeated death and the power of the grave. This day was transformed from sadness to joy; from death to life; from hopelessness to hopefulness. He is faithful to all His promises. He has overcome. What great life-changing news for us too!

The response of the women? "So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word." (vs.8) These women left afraid and filled with joy. Have you walked in that reality? I have. The reality of the resurrection; the hope Jesus gives; the life change He brings; the desire to please Him and give Him glory. I will run quickly to bring word that Jesus is ALIVE! With fear (reverance for the One I serve) and great joy I will deliver the message of Salvation to others. The grave is empty. He is faithful. He will do all that He says He will do. "He is not here; for He is risen, just as He said." Hallelujah! He is ALIVE!!!!!!