The Greatest Day On Earth

Today we remember the day everything changed. It is the day the calendars changed from BC to AD. It is the day the world saw the greatest miracle ever performed. It is the day that many dreaded and others looked forward to all there life. Over 2ooo years ago on this day salvation came to an undeserving group of people. Salvation was given to humanity by a God full of mercy.

Many tried to murder the King of Israel and instead ended up sacrificing the lamb that would save the world. Three days earlier they cried out for the blood of Jesus to be spilled. They so feared his claims of resurrection that they posted guards at His tomb. But that wasn't enough. It wasn't enough to keep a Savior in the grave.

John 20:1-2 - Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tom, and we do not know where they have laid Him."

Mary goes to the tomb and finds Jesus' body to be missing. She runs to the disciples to tell them. Simon Peter and the other disciple arrive. Peter goes in the tomb and sees only the linen strips of cloth and no Jesus. Since they did not understand that Jesus must rise again the third day, they went away to their own homes.

John 20:11-18 - But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did now know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken there things to her.

Mary heart sick and sadden at such a great loss went to the tomb to properly prepare the body of her beloved Jesus. In her horror, the tomb was empty. "How much am I to endure?" She must have thought. I can only imagine the suffering her heart was filled with. A heart shattered into a million pieces.

Why are you weeping? She is asked. Her mind clouded, her thoughts must have raged, "How dare you!!!" Thinking it the gardener speaking and deep anguish overwhelming her, she only pleads for her Lord's body. What despair must have dripped from the words as she replied "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Her heart must have cried out "Please! Please! Just tell me!"

Then He spoke her name, "Mary!" Instantly she recognizes the one who calls her name. It's her Lord. It's Jesus! With her heart leaping out of her chest and a thousand questions running through her mind she clings to Him, never wanting to let Him go. I am sure that every sorrow was mended and all one million pieces of her heart came instantly back together. Jesus was alive!

He tells her not to cling to Him for he must still ascend to the Father and sends her off on a mission. Her mission; to tell the disciples he is alive, He rose from the grave and is ascending to the Father.

Mary's encounter with the risen Lord was the beginning. Many were witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. He showed himself to the disciples and many others.

He may not walk the earth in human form any longer but He left behind His Holy Spirit to abide in us. When we believe His death and resurrection were given for our sins, receive the gift of salvation and repent from our sin we are promised eternal life. We are also given the Holy Spirit to be with us as our guide and comforter.

Oh, But He will return one day! In the twinkling of an eye He will descend on high and call his people home. What a day that will be! A day even greater than the one we celebrate today! The glorious day will come when all things are finished for an eternity. How I look forward to that day.

For now, we watch and wait. And while we wait we give praise for His life, His death and His resurrection. We give thanks for the greatest day on earth and the even greater one to come!

Thank You Jesus!