Happy Easter

I love this picture. Why? Because on this day, a day that had been looked forward to for thousands of years, a day that will be remembered throughout eternity, our Lord and Savior took the time to soothe a troubled heart.

John 20
11 ¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12 And seeth two ^aangels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and ^asaw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, ^aMaster .

17 Jesus saith unto her, ^aTouch me not; for I am not yet ^b ascended to my ^cFather: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my ^d Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

There have been times in my life where I felt hopeless, where it seemed that the things that were most important had been taken from me. As I have looked back at those times in my life, I have realized that by listening for and recognizing the sweet, still, and small voice of the Lord speaking to me through the Holy Spirit, letting go of my pride, adjusting my priorities, putting forth the effort to re-focus on the Lord, and surrendering my will to him, I was able to to see that He would take time to comfort me.

There is a hymn that eloquently describes my feelings about my Lord. I have copied the text of the hymn below.

I Know that My Redeemer Lives
By: Samuel Medley

I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head!

He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with his eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King!

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my savior, still the same;
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!