Easter In Jerusalem

Matthew 28:6-7 – 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. (NIV)

On the horizon there is a trip planned, one that I am looking forward to with great anticipation. The itinerary for Easter Sunday says we will be at the Garden Tomb for a sunrise service. We will be present in or near the place where Mary Magdalene stood and, seeing a man she thought was the gardener, said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." She didn't realize that she was talking to Jesus. We will have communion on the site and be able to look into the tomb and observe that no one is there. I feel like exploding, knowing that, if it is God's will for me to be present in the Garden Tomb on Easter of this year, it will the experience of my lifetime, to be near the places that my Lord has passed by in His time on this earth, to be in the presence of the living God.

Many will not be at the Garden Tomb this Easter Sunday morning. But we don't have to go to the Holy Land to know that Jesus is not there, that He has risen. He is at the right hand of the Father Almighty. He makes His presence known to us as we receive His living Spirit into our lives. I know that I am in His presence now, as I write this here in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. His words are "I am with you always." He is with all those whom He has chosen, and will be throughout eternity. Isn't that exciting and peaceful at the same time!

Prayer: Oh God, may we let the risen Jesus enter into our hearts that we may grow to know you. May your presence be powerfully with all of us at this Easter time. May the message of Easter impact us with special reality this year: "For He Has Risen." Amen.

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