. . . flowed through Him.  He gave me such joy and peace that I never wanted to be separated from Him.  So, I stayed with Him and helped serve Him and the others who were with Him.

But now He was gone, and I felt completely lost.  I hardly knew how to function.  I couldn’t even pray.  Everything I had known and believed had been brutally ripped away.  Where was God?  How could this have happened?  I desperately wished I could wake up from this nightmare.  

It took so much effort just to wash my face and get dressed to start another day.  Yet, in a strange way, I was glad I had something to do.  I planned to meet with the other women to take spices to His tomb to place upon His body.  The Romans labeled Him a criminal, but He still deserved the honor of a proper burial.  There was some comfort in gathering the spices, putting our effort into this final act of love to serve our beloved Master. 

We walked to the tomb in silence.  I could scarcely believe the birds were still singing as the sun began to warm the air.  I wished that creation would join in our grief.  It seemed almost offensive that the sky was clear and bright, and life around us continued as before. 

Tears began to flow again as we entered the garden where His tomb lay.  It took all my strength to move forward, knowing I would encounter His death afresh when I saw His body wrapped in the burial clothes.  I felt sick and nearly had to turn back.  It was just so painful.

When we found His tomb, cut into the rocky hillside, we were surprised to find the large stone rolled away from the entrance.  But we were also relieved because we weren’t exactly sure how we were going to move it ourselves.  Hesitantly, we all stood for a moment outside.  Then, wanting to get it over with, I stepped past the other Mary,  and Joanna, and went into the tomb.  The air was cool and damp.  Although it was dim inside, the morning light streamed through the entrance making it possible to see.  

Here was another surprise!  No body was there!  Jesus’ body was missing!  On the ledge, where I expected to see Him, some strips of linen cloth were lying there as if someone had cast them aside.  I couldn’t understand what I was seeing!  The other women joined me in the tight space, and we looked at one another in bewilderment, and someone suggested that perhaps we were in the wrong tomb. 

Then suddenly, the dim light around us brightened like full daylight, and we saw two men who literally shone like stars standing near us at the entranceway!!  Terrified, I dropped the basket I was holding, spilling the spices onto the dirt at our feet.  Overcome by their presence, all of us women instantly fell to our knees and bowed our heads to the floor.  As we did, spices were crushed underneath us, and their perfumed aroma  filled the air.

The men spoke to us in unison, as if with one voice, and their words were filled with authority and strength, but also kindness and grace.  They reminded me of the way that Jesus used to speak to me, and I caught my breath, paying close attention to what they said. Their words absolutely stunned me!  If I had not already been on the floor, I would’ve fainted!  In a clear voice that echoed off the walls of the tomb, I heard the words that have thrilled my heart ever since:

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here  –  he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

One of the other women gasped, and immediately, I remembered!  It all clicked together in my mind!  I remembered when Jesus had said those very words as we all sat around Him, listening to His teaching.  He had tried to warn us what was to come.  Suddenly, I understood.  It had happened just as He said!  He had been tortured and abused at the hands of sinners, and he had been crucified, the most horrific death.  But now, miraculously, somehow on the third day, He was not in His tomb!  

The men said He had risen!  They said He was not dead, but alive!  ALIVE!!  My Jesus … my Teacher … my Friend was alive!!  Death couldn’t hold him!  His grave was empty!!

My heart started beating so quickly, and my head was spinning, trying to grasp what was happening.  Without even realizing what I was doing, I found myself running and crying and praising God all the way to the place where His friends were staying.  I burst through the door, with the other women coming in right behind me.  We were talking and shouting and trying to catch our breath all at once. Our words came out in a rush, and they didn’t make any sense. 

The men in the room just looked at one another in amazement and confusion.  And at first they didn’t believe what we were trying to tell them!  But no one could change my mind, because I knew what I had seen and what I had heard!!  I knew that Jesus was alive, and no one could take that away from me!

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Every time I remember that morning, I am excited all over again, and my heart is filled with tremendous hope.  He turned my sorrow into praise!  He turned my mourning into dancing!  That day, I learned that my dearest friend, Jesus, truly was the Son of God, and that absolutely every word He spoke to us was true - even the things that seemed unlikely or hard to grasp.  And now, when I remember the things He taught us, I fully believe Him, knowing that I can trust Him in every way.  

The other thing that became so true to me was that God can literally change any circumstance in the twinkling of an eye.  His ways are higher than our ways, and they are always good.  He is not bound by the laws of nature or of this world.  He conquered death, and gave me life in a way I never expected was possible.  And He promised that I will live with Him forever in heaven because He died and rose again — and I believe Him!  I pray that you will believe Him, too. 

  I saw the empty tomb.  I heard the words of the angels.  And later, I saw Jesus alive again.  Because He lives, I can live, too, by the power of His resurrection.  And so can you! 

Hallelujah!