A Morning Like This

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.  His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.  
"And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 
And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
Matthew 28: 1 - 10
An Easter morning which stands out in my memory was a Sunrise service at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre, South Dakota.  It was the last time I sang with a choir and just thinking of the words we sang give me chills all over again.
Was it a morning like this,
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem?
And two Angels stood at the tomb,
Bearers of news she would hear soon?

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice to feel You again?

Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound, "He is risen!"
Over and over in a never-ending round
"He is risen! Hallelujah, hallelujah!"  
Sandy Patty, 1996, "Was it a Morning Like This?"

He is Risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Comments