Dead or Alive

April 01, 2013

Matthew 28:1-7 (KJV) In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Christians all over the world celebrated Easter yesterday. Some people think it's all about the death of Christ on the cross, but they are missing the point. He died for our sins, but death couldn't keep Him. Jesus rose again from the grave on the third day. He is alive!

The summer after my freshman year at college, I took a job as an aide in a nursing home. Three days later, after minimal training, I helped wash and dress a man's body for the funeral home. It was so difficult; I was only 18 years old. The thing that got me through was that his family was grieving his loss and would want me to treat him gently. I realized something interesting, too. He wasn't there; this was a soul-less shell.

Some day, our bodies will wear out, like the man in the nursing home. We have a soul, though, and when we ask Jesus to come into our heart, that soul will return to Heaven, where we will live eternally with Him. In Second Corinthians, Paul says that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Not only do I believe that, I'm looking forward to opening my eyes to see that unclouded day.

Death is the Great Separator, but through Christ, we will be forever alive!

***

Female in Motion Health Update: I am four weeks into my six-week radiation treatments. My chest is lobster red, but not very sore. I am a little tender under the arm. Bag Balm and aloe vera gel are helping.

***

Notable Quote:

"We see in the Risen Christ the end for which man was made and the assurance that the end is within reach. Christ rose from the grave changed and yet the same; and in Him we have the pledge and type of our rising."--Leaves of Gold