He IS Risen!

"1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." - Matthew 28:1-9

When Jesus was on the cross, it was a choice. He was not forced to do it, but He chose to do it. He endured the pain and the beatings, because He looked down through history and saw your face. He stretched His arms out on that cross and was nailed to it, so He could wrap those same arms around you today in an embrace of love. This is so amazing to me, that Jesus chose to endure His crucifixion, because even though it was hard, He knew the Father's plan was best. And the coolest part is that He conquered death and the slavery of sin, so that we can be in relationship with God. He IS risen, He DOES reign at God's right hand, and He IS coming back!

May you and yours be blessed this Easter.