I felt a shockwave of distress and stunned surprise come over me as I rounded the corner to the kitchen that Wednesday afternoon. Water covered 90% of the kitchen floor. My first thoughts were it must be a busted pipe under the kitchen sink. I opened the cabinet doors to find everything dry. That is when I looked over the counter to see water standing on the dining area, living room, and hallway floors – a half inch of water. At the same moment I heard the washing machine running. Well, I heard water running to fill the washing machine (which had been running for about an hour). That is when the second shockwave ran over me.

While this experience was a shock and surprise, it cannot compare to the shock and surprise of the women who headed out early one morning to anoint the body of their dearly beloved friend who had died two days earlier. When the women rounded the corner, they did not see a floor full of water. They found an empty tomb. Shock and distress had to be two of the many emotions experienced by these women on this Spring morning.

However, their shock and surprises for the day were only beginning. To their greater surprise, the empty tomb that morning was the first indicator of a resurrection from the dead. Their friend, their loved one whom they had watched die, was now, three days later, alive and living in his resurrected body.

This week people and cultures around the globe celebrate this same resurrection. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the long awaited Messiah. In the United States Easter has become more about bunnies and chocolate. There is no shock or surprise in chocolate and bunnies – except perhaps when you look in the mirror two weeks later.

Mohammed died and he is still dead. No surprise there. Buddha died and he is still dead. No surprise.  John Smith died and he is still dead. Confucius died and he is still dead. People die and they remain dead. There are no surprises in this. I do not trust my life and my eternity in one who is dead. Jesus died but He did not stay in the tomb. He died and now He lives. I trust in the living Savior. The only one who has risen from the dead. And He arose from the dead after a horrible beating and crucifixion.

My excitement comes from the shock and surprise of the empty tomb found on that long ago Easter – resurrection morning. When was the last time you experienced shock and surprise? Was there a pleasant surprise awaiting you around the corner? There can be. Even in the hard times. No matter what shock life seems to throw at you, there is an empty tomb around the corner. It is not yours, but the empty tomb of the Savior of the God of all creation. And He wants to walk with you around all the unknown corners in your life.

 This week how will you celebrate Easter? Will it be more about chocolate and bunnies or celebrating with the women who found the empty tomb on Resurrection Day? Hosanna! Glory to God in the Highest! For He has risen from the dead.

May God have a prominent place in your life this Holy week and beyond. God bless you!