In Psalm 27, David says that the one thing he seeks in this life is to spend all his days in the presence of God. Why? "To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.” Consider for a moment what that means. Like David, this is true for us, not simply as a future longing, but also as a present reality. And here's why.

Jesus told the disciples, “My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” I suspect that hearing these words made the disciples very happy just as they make you and me happy to hear them again today. But it’s also clear that what this means didn’t begin to fully sink in for the disciples until our Savior appeared alive to them again at Easter. Chances are may not always let the full weight of what these words mean sink in either. Our Savior's resurrection is the guarantee of our own, a real bodily resurrection. And this includes our senses.

It's understandable that you and I want to know what it will be like at the resurrection when Jesus comes. We look at ourselves and wonder what we will be like. What answer are we given? If you notice, Paul answers this question by pointing us, not to ourselves, but to our risen Savior whom we will then see face-to-face.

Episode Artwork in Public Domain (Armstrong1113149, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

In Acts, Peter addressed a crowd at the Temple. He told them, "You killed the author of life." As you and I hear these words, we're reminded that it wasn’t one particular person, such as Pontius Pilate or any of the other leasers of that day, or even the crowd standing before Peter that was solely responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross.  It was our sins that also led Him to be there. However, Jesus' death wasn't an accident. Here's how God has accomplished our salvation and here's how you and I are now invited to "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

Does it feel like the rest of the world is looking up while you're looking down? Last Monday, the "Great North American Eclipse" took place. Chances are good that many of you may have been among those dawning special glasses and looking up to the sky. However, for those of you looking down at that moment, you may have noticed another incredible phenomenon. It's called a 360-degree sunrise! In John's first letter, the apostle shares an incredible observation that he doesn’t want you to miss. Though there are times when you may feel engulfed in darkness, God's grace and mercy surrounds you on all sides.

On the day that Jesus rose, the very next thing He did after announcing "peace" to the disciples was to show them His hands and side. These were the hands through which the nails had been driven.  This was the side into which the soldier thrust his spear to ensure that Jesus was dead. Why would Jesus hang onto such a reminder of the painful sacrifice that He endured? Wouldn’t the disciples have been satisfied seeing, simply, the beauty of His face?  Wouldn’t seeing these wounds be a painful reminder instead a joyous reassurance? The answer to this brings astonishing comfort!

When it comes to Easter, Paul tells us about the eyewitnesses who were on hand and the historical facts of Jesus' resurrection. However, faith is more than acknowleging the fact that we have a living Savior. As the apostle goes on to point out, faith lays hold all that this precious fact brings with it - forgiveness of sins, life and salvation! Knowing this changes not only history, but your life each and every day right now.

At Easter, you may have shared a familiar greeting on Sunday morning.  It’s called the “Paschal Greeting.” It goes like this:  One person exclaims, “He is risen!”  And it’s followed by the joyful response, “He is risen, indeed!” But, you know, the angel who announced our Savior's resurrection also included four more words that are easily overlooked, but which are wonderful, reassuring and too good to miss.