From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
It is the first century and Jesus’ death is only three days history.
Your name is Mary Magdalene and you and your friend, also named Mary, have decided to go to the tomb where they have laid the crucified body of your Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth, the One who has totally transformed your life.
His shocking death has possibly made you feel as if the life changes He has wrought in you are only a dream.
Having come to the tomb you encounter the unexpected.
An angel from heaven in dazzling appearance announces to you that Jesus is no longer in the grave but has risen from the dead.
Running from the tomb with both joy and fear you and your friend have the most incredible encounter of your life, as recorded in Matthew 28:9:
“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them.
And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him.”
Of all the incredible things that happened on that resurrection morning, surely nothing could compare to actually meeting Him!
The earthquake was amazing, the altered grave was hard to believe, and the appearance of the angel was, well, out of this world!
But… all of this pales in comparison to the surpassing excellence of actually meeting the risen Saviour.
This was neither a ghost, nor a figment of their imagination, but an actual face to face, in the flesh encounter with the Prince of Glory.
What was their response on such a momentous occasion?
They held Him!
Have you ever met someone at the airport after a long trip away, or found your child after a frantic search in a busy shopping mall?
If you have you’ll know that everything in you wants to hold them.
Today is Resurrection Sunday.
It is the most important date on the Christian calendar.
It is the reason we believe, the reason we have hope in this broken world.
It is a day of opportunity for us to meet Him.
I am not talking about seeing Him in person, but rather welcoming Him into your heart.
It is a day to meet Him, by faith, at the foot of the cross and in the shadow of the empty tomb.
It is a meeting that will change your life… FOREVER!
