Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:1-6)
In those early morning hours, what did these women expect to find? Mark 16 and Luke 24 record that they were bringing spices with which to anoint Him. These spices were intended to counteract the odors of decay. They were not expecting a resurrection!
As they approached the tomb, the earth began to shake. I would imagine they remembered how the earth shook when Jesus yielded up His spirit while hanging on the cross. It seems fitting that the earth would also shake as an angel descended and rolled the stone away from the door.
Expecting a dead body, they found an angel sitting on the very stone that had sealed the tomb. Then they heard these words, “Do not be afraid. I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. He is risen.” Extreme sadness turned to unspeakable joy. What a morning for them! What a morning for us!
In John 3:16, Jesus said,”… In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He overcame the world for us. In Revelation 1:18, Jesus said, …”I have the keys of Hell and Death.” He is victorious over the temptations and sins of this world, Hell and death. Because of Him we will be victorious also.
Again, we say, “WHAT A MORNING!”
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 
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