Easter – Part 1

April 21, 2025

Broadcast

                            Easter - Part 1
                               John 20:1
                              04/20/2025


        1    Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene
             came to the tomb early, while it was still dark,
             and saw that the stone had been taken away from
             the tomb.  (ESV)

        Easter Sunday is not about colored eggs or chocolate rabbits
   or new spring dresses and finery.  Easter Sunday is about Jesus
   Christ risen from the dead.  This is not a spiritual
   resurrection, as some may claim, or the idea of renewal as others
   may teach.  Jesus rose from the dead, physically, never to die
   again.

        Oh, to be certain, He was dead on Good Friday.  The soldier
   who pierced His heart with a spear made certain that Jesus was no
   longer alive.  Even if He had fainted or was in a coma, as one
   theory says, that spear to the heart would have been fatal.  He
   was dead when Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus placed His body
   in the tomb.

        Credible eyewitnesses saw the risen Christ Jesus.  They saw
   the empty tomb.  They spoke with Jesus.  They ate with Jesus.
   They walked with Jesus.  Over 500 people saw and heard Him after
   the resurrection.

        On that Sunday morning, however, no one expected the empty
   tomb.  ``Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to
   the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone
   had been taken away from the tomb.''  Saint John is telling the
   story of Mary Magdalene, not the other women who went with her to
   wash Jesus' body and ensure He was properly prepared for burial.
   Mary Magdalene and the other women knew the tomb was covered with
   a large stone, but probably did not know about the soldiers sent
   by Pilate to guard the tomb at the request of the chief priests
   and the rulers of the Temple.

        This week we will look at John's account of this most
   important event in history.

        Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  Amen.