Rejoice!

Matt 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!"

Before we know Jesus the worst thing that can happen to a person is death. To die. To be dead.

This is because we have no perception of what death is, other than what it seems to be: death. (Loss of life.)

But, what if ‘death’ is really life - and life as it has never been experienced in any other way except our most fanciful dreams? And what if death is really life - and life even better than our most fanciful dreams may lead us to believe?

There is one description of me that will never be true: and that will be in the day when people will say, “He has died.”

In Christ, there is no death – there is only a better life in a better body in a better place. How much better will that better body be? I don’t know exactly, but I know it will be “new,” and “perfect,” and it will be “incorruptible,” (which means it will always be new and perfect.) How much better will the place be? I don’t know exactly, but I do know it will be indescribably beautiful, and that the streets will be paved with gold. How much better will this life be? Well, I don’t know exactly, but I know it will be lived in a body that is no longer tempted to sin, in an environment of unconditional love, and in the eternal presence of the love of Christ.

This is worthy of rejoicing, and it is exactly what Jesus says we should do with this understanding made plain by His resurrection. We serve a Lord Who has power over death and dying – to the extent that for those who believe, there is no death or dying - only the passing from an earthy-type of body into a heavenly-type of body.

This morning of mornings, we come face-to-face with The risen Savior, Who was dead and is now alive forevermore! The Bible says when we see Him we shall be like Him – and in His likeness we shall never die. Do you believe this? His resurrection declares it for one and all to see for themselves.

-  Pastor Bill