Mar 26: He is risen!

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb (of Jesus). They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened." (Luke 24:1-12)

Jesus is alive! It's not that He is alive "in spirit" because His followers keep His memory alive. He is alive! And He saves us, rescues us. He not only saves us from the penalty of our sins by what He did on Calvary’s cross, but He can save us from the power of sin in our daily lives if we’ll abide with Him, enjoying His presence and counsel. The things that have a grip on us: habits, addictions, anger, lust, financial struggles, health issues--He can free us from all these things and give us new life!

Begin today to draw close to the Living Jesus this Easter season:

• read in the Bible, in the New Testament, the gospel accounts of the cricifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
• Go to a church to see a dramatic production or musical depicting the the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
• Plan on attending an Easter Sunrise worship service in your community.

~ Father, help me as I approach this Easter season to see Jesus with new eyes. Help me to know the Living Jesus and enjoy the freedom and life that only He can offer. Amen.