Early morning visit

Arimathea's tomb caught the dawning sun's early rays that morning as the two women hastened to visit the place where they had laid their Lord, who had been executed by crucifixion three days earlier. They hurried to greet a young man sitting where the great stone closing the tomb's entrance had been rolled away. His raiment was white and emanated a brilliant glow, for he was, in fact, an angel sent to deliver the stirring message that the Jesus they sought was not there.

"He is risen!" he told them, and as the very first to announce to a waiting world that redemption had bought mankind back from sin. The women lingered at the garden until they saw the angel leave, and then they believed not their eyes when they saw the Christ Himself alive and robust. He bade them go and tell the good news to his disciples that he had risen from the dead. That first Easter morning He demurred from their embrace, advising the two Marys that he needed to go to His Father first. Thereafter, until His ascension, He was seen about Galilee and did minister to his loyal followers. And He did promise to return.

Christians have based their creed on the belief that Jesus Christ, member of the Holy Trinity was "crucified, died and was buried -- He arose from the dead, and sitteth at the right hand of God, from which He will judge the quick and the dead." What Easter means to those of us who await His return is that death has lost its sting and the grave its victory. Thus we may live in the hopes of our very own resurrection when that glorious day comes and we may again greet those whom we have loved.

It seems appropriate that Easter happens in the spring at the season of rebirth when the whole earth rejoices at the release from the dead bonds of winter. And who but a Christian could better celebrate their remission of the very sin that doomed us to eternal damnation, but for the death of Jesus and His promise of eternal life for us all?