Happy Easter!

Get the Point!

From the Gospel of Mark, 16th Chapter:

     "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.’ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

     When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned...”

My Hobbservations:

1. For those who believe, just as He predicted, Jesus arose on the third day after his Crucifixion!

2. The Angel of the Lord and Jesus Himself appeared first to Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome! The very fact that the most awesome event in human history was first revealed to women SHOULD alleviate all manner of discrimination that women suffer at the hands of men—especially within the Church...

3. Jesus appeared to two of His male disciples in disguised form, a reminder to watch for "Angels unaware" and the times when God literally walks among us...

4. Jesus rebuked His male disciples for their lack of faith and belief in His Resurrection from the dead. But like a good parent, He then instructed the Disciples on their mission to go and proclaim the Good News that He descended from Heaven to suffer, die, and be Resurrected for the remission of sins!

My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come giving thanks for the sacrifice that you gave on Calvary—and your Son's Resurrection from mortal to immortality. We seek forgiveness for where we have erred, and we seek mercy for the times in which we have displayed similar disbelief as your Disciples over two millennia ago.

We pray this Easter Morning that we can obtain your wise counsel so that each of us can walk in the path that you so desire. May we remember that fine Easter clothing, large in-church gatherings, and bountiful banquets have never been the true purpose of this day, but that where two or more are gathered in your name, that You dwell in the midst as well. For that and many other blessings, we give humble and reverential thanks in the name of Jesus the risen Christ!

Happy Easter...