I know it’s a bit early for Easter, but I wanted to finish up the Matthew joy verses. From Matthew 28:5-8:

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Of all of the joy verses, this one to me is the most joy-filled! The women have just been told by the angel that Jesus has risen from the dead. They are afraid but filled with joy. And who wouldn’t be? I cannot even begin to imagine… And the response is to tell others. Believers have been called to do that from this very moment on. Run and tell others that He is alive!

We have a cross wall in our home, covered in crosses made of metal and wood and plastic and glass. Different shapes and colors and forms. No two are alike, with the exception of the blue and pink crosses that bear our children’s names. As I sit here typing and looking at it, I notice that most of them are bare – there is no body hanging on the tree any more. We have one or two crucifix-style crosses, and they are good reminders that Jesus died. But the rest of them show the victory that Christ is risen. He lives, and because of that, we also will live. What a gift, what a joy!