The Joy of the Resurrection

This is day 40 of my 40 day Lenten blog.

Have you ever been extremely worried that something bad had happened only to find out later that it had not. My mom still likes to tell the story of when she thought I had been kidnapped after school because instead of being where I was supposed to be to be picked up, I had gone to the classroom of a friend's mom who was a teacher. I had mistakenly thought I was riding home with them that day. Needless to say Mom was scared that something terrible had happened and was extremely relieved when I was found safe and sound.

That relief, that joy at realizing things are going to be okay is one of the best feelings in the world. That is the joy that the disciples felt when Jesus was found resurrected. Just imagine being Mary Magdalene and coming face-to-face with the Lord you thought was dead. The feeling of joy would be indescribable.

Jesus wants us to all realize that same joy as Mary Magdalene, the other disciples, and of course His own mother Mary felt when He rose from the dead. He wants us to realize that things aren't as bad as we think. Our loved ones who we thought were dead and gone are not. Our lives that seem broken and ruined are not. Our own fears of death are unfounded. If we have Christ then all suffering, all death, all pain, all sadness are just temporary. Like my mother realizing I was safe and sound, we will all realize that everything is all right. God is in control, and the future is brighter than we can possibly imagine.

Today's prayer: Come Lord Jesus!

R.C. VanLandingham lives in Florida with his wife and kids. He is the author of several books including the Christian fantasy books Peter Puckett & The Amulet of Eternity, Peter Puckett & the Enchanted Chalice, and Magdalene Hope & the Elves of Evermore.