To Honor Him Properly

To honor Him, His sacrifice, promises, and love.

The world was quiet; no one moved except the women. They slipped past closed stalls in the town. As they hurried up the narrow streets to the gate, these women wiped tears from their cheeks, hoping their noses were not too red. They pulled their shawls tight around them to ward off the predawn chill. Looking down at their feet, they carried their precious cargo carefully out of the town's gate.

Gradually, almost imperceptibly, the world grew brighter. Birds started to sing. A single rooster crowed, and more joined in to welcome the dawn. They hurried faster towards their destination, driven by the need to mourn Him according to their customs. Burdened by their desire to honor Him quietly yet properly, they carried spices. Possibly frankincense and myrrh were what they planned to use.

They spent years with Him, followed Him, fed Him, and helped Him minister to people in need. Then they watched Him die on a cross, between two thieves. His beaten, bruised body hung in pain, yet He looked at the crowd with eyes filled with love. Yes, they had to worship Him by preparing Him correctly for burial.

When they rounded the corner, they saw the stone off to the side and entered the tomb. He was not there. A young man dressed in a white robe spoke to them.

And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 16:6-7

The sun had risen, but their spirits had not increased. Weighed down with grief beyond measure, this young man's words brought the light of hope to the women. They stared at him and then at each other. Isn’t this what Jesus had said to us? They all wondered as they looked at the burial cloths folded neatly.

He is risen! They went to find Him in the first light of Easter morning. He was not there! Their pain, sadness, and emptiness changed with this proclamation. He has risen; He is not here! They raced to tell the disciples, including even Peter, who denied the Lord before His Crucifixion, the good news of great joy.

Did they remember the story of His birth? How the angel announced it to the shepherds. How the great multitudes of angels joined the first and sang praises to God. Did they remember the stories of the Wise Men coming to bring the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Did they remember His teachings on how He had to die to set them free?

Their faith and love brought them to the tomb. That empty tomb changed them and the world forever. Christ came to seek and save the lost. His death on Good Friday and resurrection gave salvation to the world.

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah and Amen!