This is the day before Easter and I need an Easter miracle. The sight in my right eye is still very limited even though my eye surgeon has confirmed that the cataract surgery was successful. There was glaucoma damage to the retina that the cataract was hiding. Doctor Kaplan said something I have never heard a doctor say before, “It would be a miracle if the sight in that eye improves, but miracles do happen.” So now when my sight improves, God will get all of the credit.
This Easter I’m simply going to share with you the lyrics of a song about Simon Peter’s view of the resurrection that is titled, He’s Alive. I think it expresses the feelings of every Christian the moment we realize that Jesus is alive and we are forgiven.
“The gates and doors were barred
and all the windows fastened down. I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose
at every sound, half in hope of sorrow and half in fear the day would find
the soldiers breaking through to drag us all away. And just before the sunrise I
heard something at the wall. The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call.
I hurried to the window, looked down into the street expecting swords and
torches and the sound of soldiers’ feet. But there was no one there but
Mary so I went down to let her in. John stood there beside me as she told
me where she’d been. She said they’ve moved Him in the night and none of us
know where. The stone’s been rolled away and now His body isn’t there. We both
ran towards the garden, then John ran on ahead. We found the stone and
empty tomb just the way that Mary said, but the winding sheet they wrapped Him
in was just an empty shell and how or where they’d taken Him was more
than I could tell. Oh something strange had happened there just what I did
not know. John believed a miracle, but I just turned to go. Circumstance
and speculation couldn’t lift me very high, because I’d seen them crucify
Him – then I saw Him die. Back inside the house again the guilt and
anguish came. Everything I’d promised Him just added to my shame. When at last
it came to choices I denied I knew His name and even if He was alive it
wouldn’t be the same. But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet
perfume. Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room and
Jesus stood before me with His arms held open wide and I fell down on my
knees and I just clung to Him and cried. Then He raised me to my
feet and as I looked into His eyes the love was shining out from Him like
sunlight from the skies. Guilt in my confusion disappeared in sweet
release and every fear I ever had just melted into peace. He’s alive!
Yes, He’s alive! Yes, He’s alive and I’m forgiven heaven’s gates are open wide.
He’s alive! Yes, He’s alive! Oh He’s alive and I’m forgiven heaven’s gates are
open wide. He’s alive! He’s alive! Hallelujah, He’s alive! He’s alive and I’m
forgiven heaven’s gates are open wide. He’s alive! He’s alive! He’s
alive
I believe it! He’s alive! Sweet Jesus!”
Happy resurrection Day everyone!