Scripture: 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. [Matthew 28:6 NLT] One of my favorite journeys so far in my life was an eleven day adventure with my uncle. We flew from Charlotte, North Carolina to Little Rock, Arkansas. There we picked up an RV that belonged to the parents of one of my uncle’s friends. The parents needed the RV to be driven from Little Rock to their house in San Francisco. The trip took us eleven days in total and was truly an adventure. We even adopted a theme song, "The Great Adventure," by Steven Curtis Chapman. We didn’t have a lot of notice or time to plan out the trip, which meant we were planning it as we went. Some of the highlights of that trip were Meteor Crater, the parking lot of the Petrified Forest (long story), the Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Superstition Mountains, El Cajon, Yosemite National Park, and San Francisco. It was a journey I will never forget and one that was full of excitement. The most exciting parts of the journey were the moments when we reached a destination. We could shout out we are here! We have been journeying together for the past forty days (excluding Sundays) through Lent. We have experienced the birth, life, ministry, suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. We have looked at how Jesus the Son is the second part of the Trinity- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We have considered all the mighty acts that God has done through Jesus Christ. During Holy Week we have remembered Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper with his disciples, his arrest and torture, his crucifixion and the grave. It has been a roller coaster of emotions as we relive all that Christ experienced here on earth. If we ended with Good Friday the journey would not reach its destination. We would not arrive where God was leading us. But do not fear because today we have reached our destination. Today is the day we shout with loud voices, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” We celebrate because today is the day that the angel proclaimed to Mary, “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.” Mary looked in and Jesus was not there. It was moments later that Mary encountered her risen Lord, Jesus. Mary went and told the others immediately that He is risen! What a glorious day! We can only imagine the excitement and wonder at knowing that Jesus, who had been crucified and buried three days earlier, was alive. This is what we celebrate today! Jesus is alive! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Today give thanks and praise to anyone who will listen! Put aside the chocolate bunnies for a moment and make sure to remember why we celebrate. Make sure your kids know why we celebrate! Make sure your family knows why we celebrate! Make sure anyone who will listen knows why we celebrate! Today live out the mystery of faith … Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Live in the power and presence of the risen Christ! Celebrate today for He is risen! Alleluia! Prayer: God Almighty, you alone had the power to raise Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus did not consider being God as something to hold onto. Because he was willing to humble himself and be obedient unto death, I can celebrate new life. Empower me through the gift of your Holy Spirit to live in this new life. May I live today to let others know that He is risen. All honor, glory, and praise is yours, Almighty God. In the name of Jesus Christ my risen Savior. Amen.