He Has Risen! WHAT JOY!

          Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Drink it joyfully….it’s almost Easter!

            Some of the most joyful words in the Easter story come from Matthew 28:5-7.  “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples…”

            My Bible footnote explains that the angel who announced the good news of the resurrection to the women gave them four messages:

1. Do not be afraid.  The reality of the resurrection brings joy, not fear! When you are afraid, remember the empty tomb.
2. He is not here. Jesus is not dead and is not to be looked for among the dead.  He is alive!
3. Come and see.  The women could check the evidence themselves.  The tomb was empty then and it’s empty today.  The resurrection is a historical fact.
4. Go quickly and tell.  They were to spread the JOY of the resurrection.  We too are to spread the great news!

Are you experiencing fear?  Then focus on the empty tomb.  Because He lives, we can trust Him to take of us!  Sometimes we forget that He is with us today and need to be reminded to “come and see” that the tomb is empty.  He is victorious over death!

            Let us spread the JOY of the resurrection during this Easter week.  Take advantage of every opportunity to share the Good News with all that will listen.

           Drink and serve the Joy of Easter---boldly!