The Sunrise that Changed Everything
Well, hey there, butterbean, lean in close and let me tell you something’worth ‘a-wakin’ up for. Early on that first Easter Sunday, ‘a-fore the birds even done got their feathers all fluffed, right there the world was ‘a-sittin’ quiet as a mouse ‘a-hidin’ behind one o’ them there flour sacks. But Heaven was already ‘a-stirrin’. Psalm 16:9-10 had been ‘a-hummin’ for generations, “My body also will rest in hope ‘cause you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead.” And friend, that there promise was about to stand up and stretch its legs.
And right in the middle of all that quiet, the words Jesus done spoke back in John 11:25-26 came ‘a-marchin’ right on into the mornin’ light: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.” He was not just ‘a-makin’ a claim. He was done ‘a-tellin’ the world exactly who He was way long before that there stone was ever rolled. Easter was not a surprise twist. It was Jesus just ‘a-bein’ just who He is, JESUS!
Matthew 28:1-2 tells us that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary was ‘a-goin’ to the tomb, probably ‘a-walkin slow and heavy like a pair of cows who was ‘a-knowin’ the feed bucket was done empty. But suddenly there was this great big ol’ earthquake, and an angel of the Lord done gone an’ rolled that big ol’ stone away like it was nothin’ more than a lil’ ol’ biscuit crumb on the table.
And bless those guards, Matthew 28:4 says that they done shook and fell over like faintin goats at a county fair. Meanwhile, the angel was ‘a-sittin’ right there on that there stone, ‘bout as cool as a cucumber, and said in Matthew 28:6, “He is not here. He has risen, just as He said.” That angel might as well have added, Y’all should have done been ‘a-seein’ this here ‘a-comin’..
And here is where Revelation 1:18 done cachets right into the story like a feisty, victorious rooster on Easter mornin. “I am the Living One. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Why, Jesus didn’t just go and walk right out of that there tomb. Mercy, He done walked on out ‘a-holdin’ the keys, ‘a-jinglin’ ‘em like a janitor who done learnt that he owns the whole building.
Easter Sunday is God ‘a-shoutin’ into the universe, “Death, you done better sit down. You are washed up!” It is the day hope done outran despair faster than a squirrel who just realized that the dog done woke up. It’s the day the stone learnt it just could not pick a fight with the Almighty Savior of the world.
Friend, if Friday done broke your heart and Saturday done made you wait. Goodness gracious sakes alive, Sunday is here to be ‘a-remindin’ you that Jesus done finishes what He starts. Every single time.
Father, thank You for the empty tomb and the risen Christ. When life gits to feelin’ too heavy, be ‘a-remindin me that You be ‘a-holdin’ the keys and the victory. Be ‘a-teachin’ me to live like Sunday is always gonna be ‘a- comin’. In Jesus name, Amen.
My stars, Junebug, you got to git out there and be ‘a-carryin’ this here Easter truth with you everywhere you be ‘a-goin’ in just the way a mighty proud mama bluebird carries the first worm of spring to her newly hatched babies ‘a-sittin’ in the nest. Picture it! The stone done moved. The Savior done rose up alive from bein’ dead. And there ain’t no grave anywhere that can hold back the One who is gonna be ‘a-livin’ forevermore! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
With joy,
Gwen
