This is the first time in almost 40 years that I have not stayed up all night sewing an Easter dress or a tie; or prepared the house or a meal for Easter dinner; or created a goodie bag to give away at church; or stuffed plastic eggs with coins for an Easter egg hunt with the grandkids. This will be the first Easter since my kids have been grown that we won’t be laughing and debating and solving the world’s problems around the dinner table while feasting on Amanda’s ham, Shannon’s strawberry salad, April’s yeast rolls, and Miranda’s world famous carrot cake.
Makes me emotional; makes my heart a little sad.

As I was sitting here considering these things, I began thinking of Christ’s disciples and how they may have been feeling the night before.

Some of them had been with Jesus for 3 years. Watching Him, listening to His teachings. John the baptizer had told them He was the Messiah— the One they had been waiting on to save them. They saw Him perform miracles—the blind were given sight, the lame began to walk, the deaf could hear, and they had even witnessed the dead come back to life!

What a glorious celebration they participated in when, just a few days earlier they entered Jerusalem. Everyone dancing and laughing and shouting out to Jesus as they laid palm leaves before Him, “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Hosanna!”

And then some of them participated in the Passover meal where Jesus told them things that they could not believe—“One of you will betray Me””, He confided. One by one they began to ask, “Is it I, Lord?” But Judas knew he was the one. Taking on the duties of a servant, He washed their feet and told them they wouldn’t understand the complete meaning until afterwards. He told them that He was going someplace they wouldn’t be able to go. How confused they must have been.

Those closest to Him went with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus, unknowingly to them, spent hours agonizing over His duty to follow the Father’s will, but totally surrendered to completing the work He had come to do.

They were awakened to the clatter of oncoming soldiers as Judas identified Jesus with a kiss on His check. He was taken away. The disciples scattered, and watched from afar as Jesus was falsely accused, tried unfairly throughout the night; beaten, mocked, and humiliated by the Roman soldiers; betrayed by His own people, and inhumanely crucified on a cruel and degrading cross.

Now, Jesus was gone. He was dead. The disciples and all the others who followed Jesus were hiding—fearing for their lives. The sorrow of Jesus’ death was more than any describable sorrow. Jesus was their friend, yes. He was a great teacher, yes. A wise prophet, yes. But they had believed Him to be the Son of God! So many things pointed to that evidence. They witnessed them all! But what now? What were they to do now? They had given up everything to follow Him.

So another day had passed. Another long day filled with sorrow. Another day of hopelessness. Another long night of fear, agony, and despair.

And then it happened. Well, it happened and then they saw. The tomb was empty and Jesus was alive! My heart SOARS as I think on these things! I can’t imagine how His disciples felt! No wonder they we’re able to set the world on fire for Christ! No wonder we’re still celebrating the miracle of His resurrection 2,000 years later.

I can’t wait to receive my resurrected body! I can’t wait to see my Savior’s face! I can’t wait to walk the streets of Heaven!

Oh! I hope I see you there! I can’t wait!! God bless you on this very special Resurrection Day!! He is Risen Indeed! All glory to God!!