From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage@juno.com>
Subject: Glorious Easter Greetings
Date: Sunday, March 31, 2002 8:40 AM

Of that first Easter morning we know from Scripture,
"...When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene; and Mary the mother of 
James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.  
And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when 
the sun had risen.  And they were saying to one another, 'Who will roll 
away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?'  And looking up, 
they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely 
large.  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, 
wearing a white robe; and they were amazed."   Mark 16:l-5.  
(Read also the accounts in the other three Gospels.)

The Amplified Bible says,
"...they were utterly amazed and struck with terror." Mark 16:5
What a shocking sight that must have been!  He was gone!

"...Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has
been crucified.  He has risen; He is not here..."  Mark 16:6

"...Why do you seek the living one among the dead?
He is not here, but He has risen."  Luke 24:6

"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said..."  Matthew 28:6

The tomb is empty!  HE IS RISEN!  Hallelujah!

And we can say with the Apostle Peter:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according
to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance
which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in
heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for
a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."  1 Peter 1:3-5

With grateful hearts we say with the Psalmist,
"Praise the Lord, all nations;
 Laud Him, all peoples!
 For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
 And the truth of the Lord is everlasting,
 Praise the Lord!"   Psalm 117

And we sing,
"He is Lord, He is Lord,
 He is risen from the dead and He is Lord!
 Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess,
 That Jesus Christ is Lord!

Easter blessing to all!