“Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag′dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”

– John 20:1

Even though it may be dark outside, Jesus has truly risen from the dead. It was in the darkness that he rose. They thought that his grave was robbed – – and the grave actually was robbed, but he was the robber! When a grave was robbed, the burial clothes were taken and the body left in the tomb but now the body was gone and the burial clothes were left behind. The soldiers guarding the tomb fell like dead men and the dead man was raised to life (Mt. 24:8). St. Mary Magdalene mistook Jesus for the gardener but he really was the gardener (Jn. 20:15). He’s the one that planted the garden of Eden and did what Adam failed to do. He’s the new Adam who makes all things new. He’s the strong one who plundered the devil and tied him up (Mk 3:27). Anyone who lives in him is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).

So even though it may look dark outside and sin, suffering, and death are all around they are all a bunch of shadows without any real power. Christ entered into all of it, all the way to the depths, entering into jaws of death itself breaking its teeth. It’s already a done deal – – all the stupid plagues and illnesses, all the brokenness, it’s all been defeated. Anyway, there is hope because once he was dead and is now alive.

That’s pretty much all I want to say right now. Happy Easter everybody! It’s not about pastel colors and fluffy rabbits who lay chocolate eggs.

Originally posted to Facebook.