I HAVE SEEN THE LORD! (EASTER SUNDAY)
Easter Sunday Reading: John 20:1-18

The day of resurrection has arrived! Despite evil’s best effort, God breaks through again with the promise of a new start. It’s amazing to think about it! Evil has thrown everything at us to try and put a stop to Easter: Worldwide disease, raging storms, separation, confinement, suffering and even death cannot stop God’s incredible work.

Take just a few moments and think about last year’s Easter: Where were you? What did you feel? Did you feel the resurrection last year? Did you feel God’s presence?

This Easter is different! Nobody could’ve predicted the changes that have taken place. We would never have believed it possible that something could emerge that would seemingly stop the world from turning. Yet, here we are, one year later. Damaged, scarred, and flipped on our backs. The storm clouds are still rolling in, trying to keep the grave closed in a fleeting effort. But the world still turns because God has never stopped working. God wins, again.

Mary arrived at the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away. Her worst nightmare had occurred. Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach. She tried to understand, but it’s impossible for her or anyone. She ran to tell the disciples, then returned to the tomb. This time, Jesus was waiting. Jesus called her by name and opened her eyes to the Eternal Blessing that God has just provided.

This Easter, we get it. We understand God’s miraculous work more now than ever before! Yes, it hurts to arrive at Easter without our families and loved ones. Yes, it hurts to not be able to enjoy some of our most cherished and sacred traditions, including celebrating Easter with a church full of people. Yes, the rain is terrible. But the blessings of this Easter are undeniable. We’re alive! We’re breathing! The Holy Spirit is breaking through inside each of us, opening our eyes and giving us peace, encouragement, and joy like we’ve never felt.

Today, we are already experiencing God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness through blessings that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. Can’t feel them? They are there. Close your eyes and look deep into your heart. Feel the power of the Holy Spirit warm your soul. These feelings are some of the blessings of the Holy Spirit. These are the blessings that you and I will remember far into the future!

As God unveils His miraculous work today, we need to remember one more important point: We must share these blessings with each other. Our blessings are not provided just so that we can be comforted and assured. The blessings are provided so that the Light of Jesus Christ can pierce through the darkness of the world, giving Glory to God, and protecting and saving ALL people.

Like Mary at Jesus’ tomb (and plenty of us in previous years), many people will be surrounded by God’s grace and mercy, yet they won’t quite understand what it means. Therefore, it becomes both our joy and honor to help serve as the mouth of Jesus Christ, helping them to understand God’s miraculous work. When we share our Easter miracles with each other, we invite other people to recognize God’s holy and divine work in their own lives.

What blessings has Jesus provided you today? Go and tell someone, “I have seen the Lord”, so that the glory of God may be shown into all the world!

Jesus said to her, “Mary!...Go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:16-18, NRSV)