It's still a surprise

Why are people surprised when something they expect to happen DOES happen? That's the question we can ask when we read this week's Gospel (John 20:1-9).

Three days after Jesus died, Mary Magdalene went to the cave where He was buried. The huge stone covering the cave opening had been moved away! Mary Magdalene told Peter and another disciple, and they ran back to the cave and looked inside. Jesus' body was gone! Jesus had risen from the dead.

Jesus' followers must have been excited, too, when He told them He would come back to life after He died. When He died, they probably couldn't wait to see Him again.

Even though you expect the Easter Bunny to come, you still feel a little, tiny bit scared that he won't. Jesus' friends knew about that feeling, too -- they heard Jesus say He'd be back, but then He died! That's scary. They worried, "What if Jesus doesn't come back to life?"

When you see your basket of candy or treats on Easter Sunday, you feel surprised that it's there, even though you trusted it would be. That's how Mary Magdalene, Peter and the other disciples felt when they saw Jesus' empty grave!

They trusted Jesus, but it was a little surprising to see that He really did what He said He would.

If the Easter Bunny's visit is a little surprise, Jesus' change was a big one: He came back from the dead and showed everyone He was God!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me trust you -- and remember that Easter is really about you! Amen.