Lenten Devotional | April 21, 2019

April 21, 2019

by Bishop Dindy Taylor

Easter Sunday

Growing to Believe
Luke 24:5b – 12
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Holding my daddy’s hand and walking across the dew laden green grass of Arlington National Cemetery in the late summer of 1953, I could not recognize or understand the deep significance of Easter. All I knew was that my parents were very sad because my oldest brother Frank had been killed in the Korean War. When I asked where Frank was, my parents told me that he was now in heaven.

The importance of Easter in my own life has deepened since that first visit to the cemetery. Through the years I have returned to stand beside the graves of many loved ones, precious family members and dear church friends. Feelings of loss and mourning are real.

The women came to the tomb of Jesus to prepare his body on Sunday morning but were surprised to hear the angels’ proclamation, “He is not here, but he has risen.” It is a challenging jump from replaying in your mind the horrific events of the crucifixion on Friday and wishing you could awaken from the nightmare to landing on the solid unbelievable good news that Jesus is risen and he is alive.

Faith in the resurrection is so much more than the beginning of Spring. The great God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, you and me, and everything that exists is proving to all of us how much God loves us. Jesus was willing to give his life on a cross that we would know beyond any question or doubt that God’s love has no limits. All the things that Jesus taught us about God’s grace and love for us are true.

The Gospel of John tells us that “Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.“

During those times when I come face to face with the finality of death, I am overjoyed with the reality that there is Resurrection and life beyond the grave. I am thankful that I have read the sacred text and my soul has come to believe that ….

“I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today. I know that he is living whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer and just the time I need Him He’s always near.

In all the world around me I see His loving care, and though my heart grows weary I never will despair, I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast, the day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian lift up your voice and sing, eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King, The hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find, none other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today, He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart, you ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.”