My home church owns and maintains two cemeteries, and for the 6:00 a.m. sunrise Easter service the story of the resurrection was celebrated one year at one of these cemeteries.  As I joined my parents for Easter worship, I still vividly remember the pastor sharing the news that Jesus had risen and asking those gathered to take a few moments to take in the sights and sounds that maybe the disciples and the women who went to the tomb early that Easter morning in Jerusalem had also seen and heard.  As we stood in this country cemetery, surrounded by pastureland and overlooking a lake to the east, I was moved by the events that unfolded.   It was as if the cattle, birds, and even the sun were waiting patiently for their cue, for at that moment the inhabitants of the pastures started mooing and chirping.  The sun rose just enough to peek over the horizon, the rays glistening over the water and reflecting off the mist rising above the water.  And as I marveled on the events being unfolded right before me, a flock of ducks flew overhead and settled on the pond.   It was a moving experience, as God, the director, was conducting his creation to glorify and praise His name.

Imagine you were at the empty tomb in Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago.  What would you see and hear?  Would you be afraid that the soldiers who were diligently watching the tomb would reappear and haul you in to be questioned?  Would you fall down on your knees, thanking God for fulfilling His promise of a Savior?  Would you be a doubter, assuming the remains were removed and taken somewhere else, as part of an undercover operation?  Would you call in a CSI team to come in and investigate with all of the tools of the trade to see if they can scientifically come up with a solution on why He disappeared?  Or would you run and shout to all who would listen that He was not there, just like He had said numerous times that He wouldn't be?

The prophet Job was stricken by illness and disaster, and yet though tormented by his friends he still boldly proclaimed, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another.  How my heart yearns within me!"  Job 19: 25 - 26.  His faith did not shatter when everything around him did.  A man of financial wealth became a man of financial disaster.  His faith stood firm even though friends and family ridiculed him for hanging on to a promise as the earthly blessings were sinking away.  His spiritual wealth remained on solid ground as his earthly blessings dissolved.  

The cemetery outside of Alma, MO, like other cemeteries throughout the world, contain the burial remains of loved ones who also proclaimed without a doubt, "I know that my Redeemer lives."  The time will come when Jesus, our Redeemer, will appear with outstretched arms, enveloping those who have put their trust in him.  On that magnificent day, he will step on this earth and the billions of bodies that have returned to the dust since the beginning of time will feel the influence of His almighty power, arise from their graves, and join the faithful as he leads them into a place of everlasting glory.  

I pray that as we proclaim these six words, "I know that my Redeemer lives," to family, friends, and neighbors, our faith will not be shaken, but will be strengthened as we await His coming.  

Enjoying the ride,