Early
on Easter morning, the Son arose, and His light wiped
away all the darkness. The heavens became bright and the
earth was rescued from blindness. The grave lost its
power, and death itself was overcome. The tomb of Jesus
was empty.
It is
right that we all gaze long on the cross of Christ, and
upon His sacrifice, but we should gaze even longer upon
His resurrection from death, and upon His everlasting
victory.
The
symbol of Easter is the cross of death, but also the
lilies of resurrection.
So
shout the news from the mountaintops with great and
endless joy!
The
fact that Jesus is alive is God's proof to us that He
intends to raise us as well, and that we too will live
without ever again being touched by death or any of the
things that hurt us. If the cross is the proof that God
loves us, the resurrection is the perfect vision of that
love. God offers us pure joy, if only we will accept it.
After
His resurrection, Jesus ascended to His (and our) Father.
He did
not leave us alone, but sent the Holy Spirit to fill our
hearts with His love. From his place at the right hand of
the Father, He calls us to the place where He is.
When
the time is right, Jesus shall return and destroy all
sin.
At
that time, all that is evil will be destroyed by fire,
and the earth shall be cleansed. Then we shall be raised
to eternal life. We shall live forever on an earth which
is new and fresh and clean, and as beautiful and good as
God can make it. We shall have new and immensely powerful
and beautiful bodies, with every delightful sensation as
pleasing and exciting as it can be. That is the promise
and the glory of Easter.
So
give the proper greeting on Easter. When you meet
someone, say "Jesus is risen." Or, if someone
says that to you, respond, "He is risen
indeed." Join the followers of the Christ and
rejoice in His marvelous works.
