The Death of Dying!

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Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down  and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus' body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot.

The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?”

She answered, “They have taken away my Lord's body! I don't know where they have put him.”

As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was.

Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.”

Jesus told her, “Don't hold on to me! I have not yet gone to the Father. But tell my disciples I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God.”

John 20:11-17

From all the accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus you can see that the Resurrection made a big difference. It was clearly Jesus that they saw, but He was different. Jesus appeared to them, but apparently didn't stay with them for very long at a time. They were in a room with the doors closed and suddenly Jesus was there too. Some did not even recognize the Lord when they saw Him.

But none of the disciples were in despair after seeing the resurrected Jesus. Some were stunned, but hope came back and grew beyond anyone's imagination. Even death itself could not stop Jesus and He had told His disciples to take up their crosses and follow Him!

After you have been crucified with Christ, the life you live is a resurrection powered existence. Yes, your body will be changed the day you leave this earth to go to Heaven, but you are changed now into the image of Jesus. After you have been raised with Christ, who can harm you? After you have been raised with Christ, what need do you have that He cannot fulfill?

You will be tempted to despair if all you remember and focus on is Jesus as He died, hanging on the Cross. But if you remember and focus on Jesus after the Resurrection you will be filled with hope! Jesus conquered death and dying and promised that if you follow Him, you will do the same!