Sunday

Early Sunday morning “it was yet dark” (John 20:1), Mary Magdalene came to Jesus’ tomb to lovingly care for his body and anoint it with sweet spices.

Instead she found the tomb empty of Jesus’ body, yet occupied by two angels. Overcome with grief and not knowing where the body of her beloved Savior was taken to, she knelt down and wept.

“And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?
She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”

As she knelt there weeping, the Savior came up to her, and Mary, overwhelmed with emotion did not recognize him immediately.
“…she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekeest thou?
She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith unto her, Mary.
She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”

No beautiful discourse have I heard, but that between Jesus and Mary that glorious Sunday morning. Recognizing the way he says her name, she immediately realizes that he is her Lord, appearing to her in his resurrected body.

Many people were able to testify of the resurrection that day, those that saw Christ and others that witnessed the resurrection of people who had been dead, as well as the Nephites in the American continent.

“many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:52-53)

“And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?” (3 Nephi 23:11)

Over the next few weeks the resurrected Christ appeared several times to many different people.

There is no sweeter message than that of Christ’s resurrection. I have no doubt in my mind of the truthfulness of the scriptures in recording his last few days. I hope that this Easter Sunday everyone can take the time to remember the true celebration of Christ’s resurrection, the hope and joy that it brings to all.