Christ

April 17, 2022
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
 
Have you ever sat back and just wondered about an event in history?  If you were there, would you laugh or cry, rejoice or be sad, jump up and down or fall to your knees?  In your wonderment, (is that a word?) do you visualize what’s happening all around you?
 
I invite you to wonder with me about the Easter morning Christ stepped out of the tomb.  Take a deep breath, clear your mind, smell the air, hear the birds singing—maybe even a new song.  Come with me.
 
The morning is quiet and cool.  The sun begins to pierce the sky.  A low hanging fog rolls in over the dew covered grass.  The leaves on the trees give a sound, a soft rustle.  The sun, now a little higher, warms your back.  Higher in the sky and now you see not through a glass darkly, but clearly you see.
 
With unbelieving eyes, you see the large stone, unmovable by man, rolled aside.  What you don’t expect to see comes into focus.  The entrance to the tomb is clearly visible.  The Roman guards stationed all about lay on the ground frozen with fear—or maybe wonder.  Should you approach?  The safe thing to do is to hang back.  No!  Events like this only happen once in a lifetime, once in history.  Don’t miss it!  Step forward, be bold, live life to the full.  Take the first step, lean against the entrance to the tomb, only to see that Jesus’ body is not there.
 
Suddenly, there is a feeling of the presence of someone behind you.  Is it an awakened guard, a gardener?  Cautiously, you turn around.  There He is!  Jesus has arisen from the dead.  He is alive!
 
Don’t miss out on all that life can be because you see only what is in front of you.  The gospels tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection.  Read between the lines.  Feel the emotions of those who were there.
 
But wait, even now, there is someone near—closer than a friend.  Turn around, turn, see, feel the presence of Jesus on this day---every day!
 
Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!
Pastor Allan
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