One Glorious Morning

​Happy Resurrection Sunday!  Christ is risen!  He’s risen indeed!
 
As we celebrate this blessed day, let’s pause and take a moment to cast our minds back to that glorious morning over two thousand years ago.  Picture the scene.  All was dark, but then the sun began to peak over the horizon and to cast a golden glow upon a Judean hillside which held a tomb.  A tomb with a stone that was rolled away.  A tomb that once held the crucified Christ.  A tomb that was now empty.

​I wonder what creation did on that remarkable morning.  We know that darkness covered the land as Jesus hung on the cross for three hours.  So what was creation’s response to the resurrection?  Did the sun shine even brighter?  Were the birds louder and more lively in their chirping?  Did they hop near the tomb to take a closer look and see the wonder for themselves?  What was nature’s response to Christ’s resurrection?
 
We will never know for sure.  However, we do know the disciples’ response that memorable morning.  At first, it was tragedy upon tragedy as they thought that someone stole the body.  However, as Christ revealed His risen self, their minds were blown as they realized that He was not dead, but alive.  And just as the sun dispelled the darkness of night that glorious morning, so also the Son of God dispelled the darkness of despair and loss and brought hope to a lost world. 
 
And the disciples’ response: one of awe and reverence.  They were forever changed by the experience of the resurrection.  No longer were they timid fishermen from Galilee but mighty warriors for the kingdom of God.  Their lives were forever changed on that glorious morning.
 
Now it’s your turn.  What is your response this morning?  Will you let the Son rise over the darkness and brokenness in your life and bring healing and restoration?  Will you sing a little louder this morning and step a little livelier as you consider the wonder of it all?  Will you surrender your life anew on this glorious Resurrection Sunday morning?
 
May the glory of the resurrection never dim in our eyes, and may the wonder never fade in our hearts.  For Christ is risen!  He’s risen indeed!

“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead, we are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the dead.
 
Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh hell, where is your victory?
Oh church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh hell, where is your victory?
Oh church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead, He’s alive He’s alive!”
 
~Lyrics from “Christ is Risen” by Matt Mahr