Happy Easter, dear readers!

The Gospels are filled with beautiful recollections of the Resurrection. John’s Gospel, in particular, poignantly describes that as Jesus rises from the dead, He draws all of us so closely and gently to Him and to the Father:

“Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb … But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

“They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’

“She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.’

“Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?’

“Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’

“She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, ‘Rab-boni!’ (which means Teacher)

“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’

“Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord;’ and she told them what He had said to her.'” John 20: 1, 11-18

Let your hearts and minds soak up the glory of that beautiful moment at the tomb, when Mary Magdalene recognizes the sound of Jesus’ voice. Imagine the joy and wonder she feels when she realizes that Jesus is alive.

Still today, the joy and friendship and meaning that we seek is found in the Risen Jesus.

Listen for the sound of His Voice on your hearts, as He offers all of us a share in His glorious life and love.

He loves you deeply.