Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here."
(Mark 16.6 NRSV)
Occasionally we are like terrible-tempered Lucy in the PEANUTS comic strip. Lucy comes into the room where Linus is watching TV. He says to her, "I was here first, so I get to watch what I want." Without a word Lucy marches to the set and flips the channel to her program. Linus protests. "Hey!" Assuming her best know-it-all stance, Lucy states, "In the 19th chapter of the book of Matthew it says, `Many that are first will be last, and the last first.'" Linus' response to this paradox sounds like something you or I would say. He mutters, "I'll bet Matthew didn't have an older sister!"

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus were the first one's to reach Jesus' tomb early on the first day of the week some two thousand years ago. They may have been the first ones there, but they most certainly felt like Linus who had been dumped on. They felt that all their efforts and work with Jesus had simply left them last in their community. But, in fact, they would be the first to hear: "Read all about it: Jesus is alive." Jesus is indeed alive, as Jesus lives in our hearts.

Dear Jesus, live in me today and always, moment by moment, day by day. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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