“I’m not following him!” the little girl exclaimed as she looked up at a picture of a bloody Jesus hanging on the cross. Her mom beat her later because the little girl had embarrassed her in front of church members. The little girl went on to explain that she didn’t understand how someone hanging on a cross could help her if he couldn’t even help himself.
Later on, she understood that the picture wasn’t the end of the story. Jesus rose from the dead. He is alive and is Who He says He is in His Word. She’s learned not to listen to man made rules; but instead, to follow God’s voice.
Years ago, a friend asked me what Easter was all about. I explained how we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. How what Jesus has already done is available to all who believe and follow Him. It is the most important decision a human being will ever make because it is the difference between life and death.
Dear Jesus, thank You for accomplishing Your mission. Because You live, I can face tomorrow. Because You live, all fear is gone. Because I know You hold the future and life is worth living just because You live! (Lyrics by William J. and Gloria Gaither)
Mary arrived back at the tomb, broken and sobbing. She stooped to peer inside, and through her tears she saw two angels in dazzling white robes, sitting where Jesus’ body had been laid—one at the head and one at the feet! “Dear woman, why are you crying?” they asked. Mary answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve laid him.”Then she turned around to leave, and there was Jesus standing in front of her, but she didn’t realize that it was him! He said to her, “Dear woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for? Mary answered, thinking he was only the gardener, “Sir, if you have taken his body somewhere else, tell me, and I will go and . . .” “Mary,” Jesus interrupted her. Turning to face him, she said, “Rabboni!” (Aramaic for “My teacher!”) John 20:10-16 TBT