Passion Week - Easter Sunday

Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Every Easter morning the first thing my mom would say to me is:  “He is risen!“  and I learned to respond “He is risen indeed!”.  It wasn’t until I was an adult that this greeting really began to bring joy and meaning to my Easter.  The women came to the tomb mourning and went away full of excitement because what Jesus said was true!  Jesus conquered death - He is alive!  This is just as exciting and wonderful and miraculous for me as it was for the women at the tomb.  This one moment in history changed everything.  Where there was sacrifice now there is salvation.  Where there was ritual now there is relationship.  It is reason to celebrate!