This is the traditional greeting in many parts of the world, on the day that many of us know as "Easter Sunday".  They greet one another with "He is risen," and the response is "He is risen indeed."  I like to call this day, Resurrection Sunday, because that is what we are really celebrating.  It has nothing to do with eggs, or bunnies, or candy.  It has to do with new life, and victory over death and the devil, and hope.  It speaks of boundless love, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.  This is the day the Jesus Christ, the Son of God was raised from the dead and canceled the sentence of death that was upon all of mankind.  This is the miracle of "Easter".

I would like to share a couple of pictures of the empty tomb in Jerusalem that many people feel is the actual tomb that Jesus was placed in, and where He was raised from the dead.  It is only a short distance from Golgotha, the Place of the Skull where Jesus was Crucified.  It was made for a wealthy family, but only one burial spot was ever finished in it.  They feel that after Joseph of Aramithea gave the tomb for the burial of Jesus, that tomb was never used again for the same purpose.  It was converted into a meeting place for Christians, and through the years has been used as a church.  Christian symbols are carved into the rocks outside of its walls.  The doorway has been enlarged, to accommodate visitors, but by and large it remains the same as it has been for centuries... empty except for it's visitors.





The entrance to the Garden Tomb





One of the stones that they used to roll in front of the doors of the tombs.





Notice the short wall or ridge in front of the doorway.  This was used to hold the stone in place, as it was rolled in front of the entrance.





Some of the many visitors to the Garden tomb.



What is it that really happened on that day so long ago?  The tomb was guarded by trained Romans soldiers, and sealed by the Jews themselves.  Yet the Bible records that something happened, the ground shook and the soldiers were incapacitated.  And the body disappeared.  Jesus later appeared to many people, Mary Magdalene, the disciples, the two men on the way to Emmaus and many others.  We in the Christian community believe that amazing power was released during the resurrection of Jesus, and that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is still working today.  The blood that was shed for us on Calvary has not lost it's effectiveness, and it still saves and heals and delivers.  That blood that was poured out was once and for all, for all time, and the price had been paid for sin.  The power of death had been broken.  All authority in heaven and earth was given to Jesus, and then He gave it to the church.  

I would like to share a little story by an unknown author about how the love of God changed one little life.  This is a fictional story, but I hope that it will touch your heart even as it did mine.

Boy and John 3:16

In the city of Chicago, one cold, dark night, a blizzard was setting in.  A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, the people were in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers.

He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it's awful cold in there at night. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come out the door you just say John 3:16 and they will let you in."

So he did, he walked up the steps to the door, and knocked on the door and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16."

The lady said "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace and she went off.

He sat there for a while, and thought to himself "John 3:16.... I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm."

Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?" He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days and I guess I could stand a little bit of food."

The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself "John 3:16... Boy, I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a hungry boy full."

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself, "John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out."

The lady came in and got him, and took him to a room and tucked him into a big old feather bed and pulled the covers up around his neck and kissed him good night and turned out the lights. As he laid in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night he thought to himself, "John 3:16... I don't understand it, but it sure makes a tired boy rested."

The next morning she came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and she took a big old Bible and sat down in front of him and she looked up at him and she asked, "Do you understand John 3:16?"

He said, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it." She opened the Bible to John 3:16 , and she began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there in front of that big old fireplace he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought, "John 3:16. I don't understand it, but it but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe."

You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God would be willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand it either, but it sure does make life worth living.

John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.



Have you ever made Jesus the Lord of your life?  He said "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."  Is He knocking on the door of your heart right now?  Jesus loves you, and we will rejoice with you along with thousands of angels in heaven if you will take this one step.  The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord and Savior, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  Please pray this prayer with me, and mean it from your heart.  If you do, that same power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave will also make you into a brand new person.  It says in the Bible that when you receive Him, all of the old things are past away, and the slate is wiped clean.  It is as if you had never sinned, because God will no longer remember it.  If you would like that new life, that new start in life, pray this prayer with me.



God in Heaven, I know that I am a sinner, and I want to change that.  I ask you to forgive me of my sin, and make me clean.  I am making a decision to turn to you.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for me, and that You raised Him from the dead.  I invite you right now, Jesus, to come into my heart and my life.  Keep me from evil, and make me the person that You want me to be.  Be my Lord, and be my Savior.  amen



If you meant that prayer from your heart, you will never be the same again.  I want you to do one more thing, and that is to tell somebody about what you have just done.  I would be honored and thrilled to share in your experience, so please e-mail me and tell me is you prayed that prayer.  I would like to pray for you, and if you need any other help, let me know.  It is important to read the Bible, to pray and to go to a good church that preaches the Word of God.

To Read the Bible Online:  http://www.blueletterbible.org

Need Prayer for anything?  http://www.heart-cry.com/prayer.html

Other Pages in the Easter Series

No Greater Love

The Trial and Crucifixion

At the Cross ~ Mary's Story

At the Cross ~ John's Story

He Has Risen ~ Mary Magdalene

The Ascension and Second Coming





This quilt square was made for me for Easter 2001 by one of my dear sisters at SING.  Thank you, Linda!  It is beautiful, and it matches my page, too.  I didn't tell her either...  I promise.  (((Must have been God)))  Click on the graphic to see her site.



These are the awards I have received for this page from the ladies at SING.







And This beautiful award was given to me by Linda Owens, the lady who also made my quilt piece and the Graphic for my Easter Site on my home page.  Thank you, Linda!







© 2001 Diana Sather ~ All Rights Reserved