I've Just Seen Jesus Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris

I grew up listening to this song... In fact I heard it performed long before it was officially published. (Its a perk of growing up in a big church in Nashville Tennessee with many producers and song writers in the late 1980s.)

 I continue to put myself in the place of the disciples each Good Friday, Silent Saturday and Easter Morning. I can't seem to place myself at the foot of the cross but I can place myself in that place of confusion after Jesus died. As I was preparing my heart for Resurrection Day, this song came into my heart and mind.  It's lyrics are self explanatory.

We knew He was dead.
 "It is finished" He said.
We watched as His life ebbed away.
Then we all stood around
until the guards took Him down.
Joseph  begged for His body that day.
It was late afternoon when we got to the tomb
wrapped His body and sealed up the grave.
So I know how you feel His death was so real
but please listen and hear what I say.  

The sadness of losing someone close... someone admired... someone who was supposed to fulfill promises.  Did His followers despair?  Did they speak to each other?  What was going on in their minds?  

I've seen Jesus.  I tell you he's alive.
I've just seen Jesus.  Our precious lord of life
And I knew He really saw me too.
As if til now, I'd never lived.
All that I've done before, won't matter anymore.
I've just seen Jesus and I'll never be the same again.   

In Matthew 28, Mary and Mary Magdalene go to the tomb.  When they see the stone rolled away and the guards on the ground and an angel, I am sure they felt overwhelmed.  The angel quickly greets them, encourages them to not be afraid and tells them to go back to Galilee to tell the disciples what they have seen.  The women obeyed.  They began to go towards Galilee, "afraid but filled with joy". What amazes me is that Christ meets them right there and echoes the angel's words... He greets them.  He encourages them to not be afraid and tells to go back to Galilee to tell the disciples.

Why does Jesus meet the women?  

Is it because they were still feeling afraid?  

I think He meets the women because of the relationship He has with them.  

He loves them.  

He doesn't want them to be afraid as they make this journey.   

It was His voice she first heard
those kind gentle words
asking what was the reason for tears
and I sobbed in despair my Lord is not dead.
He said, "Child it is I. I am here."

Can you imagine how relieved the women were as they traveled to Galilee?  Not only had an angel appeared but then the Lord appeared.  What joy, peace and comfort they must have felt. He was there. He is here.   Its a timeless truth.

Isn't that the same story He tells us everyday?  It is the gospel I need to hear everyday.  The resurrection is the most significant moment in our faith.  He restored our relationship to Himself.  He loved us enough to die on the cross and take away our sin.  But He didn't leave us there in the brokenness of the cross.  No, He came back.  He is alive.