Risen Today

 A grieving Mary and other women entered the Garden where Christ was buried, they perhaps thought it odd that the soldiers sent to guard the tomb were missing.

Matthew 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

They may have felt concern as to how they would roll away the stone to pour spices on Christ's body.  The fear they felt, then the sadness when the tomb was empty.  Not comprehending that He was not there.  Mary supposed someone took His body and wept at the loss.

Each account of the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) each share a different aspect of Christ Resurrection.  All agree that it was women desiring to anoint His body that knew first.

Matthew 28
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

 Mark 16

 1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

 9 ¶Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

Luke 24

 1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

 8 And they remembered his words,

 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

John 20

 11 ¶But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

 19 ¶Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Early morning, cold and chill, we sat in the grass listening to a portrayal of Christ's life in an Easter Sunrise Service.  I was captivated.

A few years ago my daughter invited me to an Easter Service where an artists drew pictures from Christ life while the minister's band sang songs of Christ life.  I was enthralled.

Visiting Rome and entering a few of the 1000 churches there my heart marveled at the love of God expressed in the building of the great cathedrals.  

Sharing Christ love for us in song, drawings, architecture, and testimonies touches my heart.

I add my testimony that Jesus Christ lives.  Heavenly Father sent His Son to make a path for us all to follow Him back home.  Jesus is pulling us from our sorrow, healing our wounds,  and cheering us on to be with Him.  Christ knows us and wants us to follow him back to the presences of our Heavenly Father.   "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:16"  We are continually before Christ.  He wants us to know He loves us.  Those that saw the empty tomb doubted and wondered, I have not seen the empty tomb yet I believe.  May the Easter season be a time of Believing. 


I associate music with Easter:  A few links to some of the magnificent praises

 Messiah Hallelujah Chorus - I listened to the Messiah at Gamage Auditorium a few years ago.  I learned why people stand during the Hallelujah Chorus.  The music moved Kings to stand and I agree. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RrdwElnTU&feature=related

How Great Thou Art - I sang this hymn on many occasions, about 20 years ago I heard it sung in church with only a piano accompaniment.  The singer was an opera singer that used this song to testify of Christ.  My astonishment in the beauty and power of this song still lingers in my memory today. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk

Amazing Grace - My favorite rendition of this beautiful song is with bagpipes.  It almost seems wrong not to have the bagpipes to sing this one. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsCp5LG_zNE

His Hands - When I think of Christ, I think of his hands and all they did from miracles to prayer to crucifixion to rising.  He truly has us written on the palm of His hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKV0zPePN1I

No Ordinary Man - Why do they not believe? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x5HiOp7EMo