the power of death could never hold Him in the grave.

(Great song of celebration below)

My best friend and I watched "Passion of the Christ," we both sat in silence with tears rolling down our faces. There are so many people that can't stand to watch it, it's too horrifying, too gruesome, too hard to see. But do we realize what he went through for us? Do we truly realize? He was beaten and beaten and beaten and beaten over and over and never complained. As he was placed on the cross, nails driven through his hands and feet, he still muttered the words "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) I sat and thought, "If that were me, I would have complained, and then I probably would have asked God to punish them for what they have done!" (I'm just being honest....) But Jesus asks God to forgive...forgive!?! Can you fathom? Can you really? As I sit here and write this and read the scriptures of Jesus' character through all of this, I have become so completely overwhelmed. I am filled with tears of pain and appreciation for his suffering, I realized how much he loves.  HOW MUCH HE LOVES.

I was reflecting today about the women who went to the tomb with their spices and perfumes. The tomb is is a place where as humans, when we leave this Earth, our bodies stay there. Jesus vanished from the tomb! He rose from the grave, just as he said! Do we realize what a true miracle this is? Do we know what this means? He didn't die, for He is living, He is the one and only King!

I have been thinking of this today and I am completely overwhelmed. Easter is not a time to just spend with family and watch the little ones hunt for eggs. While all of this is great and fun, this is a true time for gratitude, recognition, joy, and celebration! What an overwhelming sacrifice. And he did it for me. This entire season makes me appreciate my salvation. . . all Glory be to our King.

"Come and see, come and see where they laid him. He is not here, no he is not here, HE IS LIVING!!"