I remember like yesterday the day my dad past away.  It’s now been, almost to the date, 13 years.  I arrived at the hospital at about 3:00AM to stay with him.  He was unconscious and his breathing was labored.  I fell asleep holding his hand, but when I woke up, morning had broken.  The sun was beaming in the window.  When I got up to shut the curtains, I looked over at my dad and saw the sun directly shining on him.  I could feel the angels fill the room with their presence.  My legs began to shake and I immediately knew what was about to take place.

In John’s gospel, three days after Jesus died on the cross, Mary Magdalene went to where they had laid Jesus in the tomb, only to find the stone had been moved away from the opening.  I’m not sure if she was afraid, excited, or hopeful, but she runs to John and Peter to tell them the news.  I love the specificity of the text, “The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first” (John 20:4).  Again, I would love to know what they were thinking!  Had they remembered that Jesus told them that He would rise from the dead?  Were they wondering if someone had stolen Jesus, which would be logical to me.  Or, were they scared out of their minds?  However, what we do know for sure is that when John goes into the tomb (after Peter plunges in), “He saw and he believed” (v.8).

I think I began to shake that morning with my dad because I was afraid.  I was afraid because I loved him so much and knew I would miss him.  When in those situations, it’s hard to know what to say, what to do, and I remembering feeling so alone.  But, I wasn’t alone.  There was a presence in the room.  Once I realized that my dad was in good hands, I felt an overwhelming peace come over me. There was no doubt in my mind that the Lord was there lifting him up to be with His Savior.

Jesus’ death and resurrection changed everything for those disciples, including the women who were there to witness the empty tomb!  Jesus conquered death!  He is alive and well and will be there for each one of us when it is time for each one of us to leave this world!  I believe I witnessed my dad’s resurrection that day!  I saw the whole thing in my heart!  When it is our turn, we too will say, “I have seen the Lord” (v.18).