Happy Easter!
Greetings in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (Mark 16:1-7)
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was crucified on cross for our sins and transgressions, when we were yet sinners. Jesus had foreknowledge about His disciples who would betray Him, but He loved them to the end till his death on cross. If this were the end of the story, it could have been yet another story about a good teacher. However, the story was not ended by His death. Instead, Jesus Christ had risen from death by conquering death, and He became the first fruit for us. Praise the risen Lord! We will rise again from death like Him. Hosanna to the King! Anyone who believe in Him will not be perished, but have eternal life. Through Him, we have become sons of God, and sons of the resurrection (Luke 20:36). As God’s sons, we will together inherit the kingdom of God. Thus, Easter is the most joyful day of all because Jesus was raised from death on this day. Believers, be joyful and glad in Him.
Early in the Easter Sunday morning, three women brought spices to the tomb where Jesus was laid. They were truly faithful, and courageous to come to Jesus’ tomb. While walking to the tomb, they worried about “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” When they looked up, the big stone had been already rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they could not see Jesus who supposedly was laid in the tomb. Instead they saw an angel dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side. Then they were told “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
On the other hands, many of the followers were disappointment at Jesus’ death, and discouraged. Some of them left the town of Jerusalem, and walked down to another town. Especially, in terrible fear, Jesus’ disciples hid themselves. They thought that they would be the next to be arrested and executed. Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, used to say to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!”, and the other disciples said the same. But when Jesus was arrested, Peter denied twice before a servant girl: “Woman, I don’t know him.” Then he was challenged again by the same question in front of multiple people, Peter even called down curses on Jesus and swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” (Mat 26:74) Bible continues: Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter [with loving compassion]. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62). However, the fear of being arrested was stronger than the shame. Peter together with other disciples hid in one place with the doors locked. However, the risen Lord came to Peter and the rest of the disciples, and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19) What a comforting word of our Lord full of love and mercy!
Then Jesus, the compassionate and merciful Lord, did not say anything about what the disciples did to Him when He was arrested. He gently stretched out His hands and showed His hands covered with nail marks. He also showed His side pierced through by a Roman solider with his spear. Finally, the disciples understood the true meaning of what Jesus told before His death: “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” (Mark 9:31) Jesus, who stands before them, was the same Jesus, and he returned from the dead. Yes, our Lord is the master of the universe. The most fearful enemy of all, death, has utterly destroyed by the power of Jesus Christ. Thus, through the power of Jesus Christ, we will also conquer death in the faith of Jesus Christ.
Jesus continued, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21-22) He poured out the Holy Spirit by breathing on them. Their hearts were filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes, Jesus is our True Lord, who always forgives us, and gives His love, joy, and peace with His infinite patience, kindness, goodness so that we can be faithful, gentle and controlling ourselves under any circumstances with the power of the Holy Spirit that was given to us. Through the power of the cross, all of our sins are forgiven, and our broken relationship with God was restored. Even in this very moment, our Lord, Jesus Christ, continuously intercedes for us before God whenever we are off the mark and sinning again so that we can return to Him without fear. This is the Love of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord, our King, Jesus Christ, who rose again today on the Easter Sunday. Those who believe in Him will not perish, but have eternal life in Christ. (John 3:16) Hallelujah! Hosanna to the King!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)