The Joy of Good News!

Direct quotes from the bible were used in this post. Enjoy!

Shortly after the Sabbath, on the third day of Jesus’ horrible death, Mary Magdalene and her friend Mary decided to visit his tomb. It was dawn. The sun’s yellow rays barely peeking through dense gray clouds as the two women hurried along the dusky dirt road. With tear-filled red swollen eyes, the image of Jesus’ bloody and beaten body remained fresh on their minds. They flinched, shivering when a cold breeze without warning swept over them. “It’s gotten chilly,” Mary Magdalene noticed squinting through swollen dark brown eyes. She carefully tucked her long braided brown ponytail inside her wrinkled, beige robe, clutching it tight to seal in more warmth.

Mary threw her hood over her long black hair as her light brown eyes stared straight ahead. Still a way to go, she was able to see the top of the hill. Three Roman guards dressed in red, woollen tunics and gold helmets, paced back and forth in front of Jesus’ tomb carrying swords. “We’re almost there.” Mary sighed with caution in her voice. The women trudged along, navigating the rocky, dusky terrain. The grainy rocks pierced the sole of their sandals as they walked and their feet ached with pain. Frowning, Mary stopped to rest. Mary Magdalene with her dark features clouded with worry, stood beside her patting her back. “Are you all right?”

“I think so,” Mary said starting again. They walked singled file the rest of the way as the path up the hill turned narrow and steep. As soon as they crescented the top of the hill, the ground shook violently, splitting opened behind them. Mary Magdalene screamed. ” Mary, its an earthquake! Run!” The two women ran toward the tomb as large rocks erupted like expolsives around them. The guards fell as the ground shook. Seconds later, the earth laid still. Covered with dirt, the guards struggled to their feet and the sky above bursted open. A white radiant light brighter than the sun, emerged with intense energy, hovering over the tomb, lighting up the entrance.

An angel with clothes white as snow emerged from the light, it’s appearance like lightening. With one swift move, the angel shoved the stone away from Jesus’s tomb and sat on it. The guards yelled, covering their eyes, afraid to look upon the angel. They laid on the ground rolling back and forth, trembling. Mary Magdalene and Mary dropped to their knees with heads bowed, shaking. The angel’s blazing eyes bored down on them. It’s voice, deep and roaring, exclaimed, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples!”

Shaken, Mary Magdalene and Mary rose from their looking kneeling position and crept with caution to the entrance of Jesus’ tomb. Their mouths flew open once they looked inside. Fresh old blood from Jesus’ body stained his rocky deathbed, but Jesus was nowhere to be found. “Where have they taken him?” Mary gasped looking around wide-eyed. The angel with blazing eyes said, “He has gone ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you. Go.”

Afraid, but with hearts filled with joy, Mary Magdalene and Mary took off running down the hill. Several times they stumbled and fell. Quickly hurling themselves up as they raced to the bottom as fast as their sore feet carried them. As soon as they reached the bottom of the hill, Jesus abruptly appeared in front of them. His clothes were white like pure snow and a bright light radiated off his sun-kissed face. He gazed at Mary and Mary Magdalene with loving copper brown eyes. “Greetings.” He said.

Shocked, they stopped in their tracks and fell to their knees. The two women grabbed his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

As the story continues Jesus appears in Galilee and meets with the disciples. He encourages them to spread the good news of his resurrection to all the nations of the land. Since Jesus’ time, the gospel of Christianity has lasted throughout the ages. Every Spring, Christians celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection by holding church services as well as family gatherings. He gave us the gift of salvation by dying for our sins. For those of us who are Christians, it’s a time to reflect on our own salvation. Praying and reconnecting with God as we remember the reason why we are here. We are here to be a service to others. A service to our fellow brother and sister, regardless of race, nationality, age, gender or religion, just as Jesus intended. Enjoy Your Easter Everyone And Thank-you For Reading!