Good things happen in the morning. Birds start singing. The world begins to stir. After a difficult day, or a dark, sleepless night, the bright, cheeriness of the morning sun can almost catch us off guard. It signifies newness of life and second chances. No matter how difficult the previous day, we get another opportunity to fix what is wrong and to face new challenges. “Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.”

          So it is with our Christian life, as well. During the 40 Days of Lent, we focus on weighty issues: self-examination, sin, confession, repentance and sacrifice. The temptation of Christ in the wilderness. The dark soot of Ash Wednesday on our foreheads. The humility of Maundy Thursday when Christ the King knelt before his creation and washed their feet, setting an example for us to follow. The passionate suffering of Christ and the darkness of Tenebrae when the Light of the World was snuffed out like the flame of a fragile candle. The gory, blood-stained cross of Calvary. The abused body of our Lord, sealed in someone else’s cold, dark tomb. Friends denying him, hiding in fear.

And then…on the third day. At Daybreak, right about now, the darkness began to give way to dawn. Quiet, silent homes stirred as sleepy families came face-to-face with the sun in all of its glorious colors – orange and red hues, then bright, shining full blasts of eye-popping yellow and silver. The sun successfully chases away the moon and stars. Daybreak symbolizes life and light. Yes, good things happen at daybreak. We open our eyes and receive the gift of a brand new day. A fresh start. Another chance to get right with God and one another.

In Judaism, Sunday began with sundown on Saturday. Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary, the mother of James had been shopping for spices to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. In the midst of their grief they remembered that his body had not been prepared in accordance with Jewish law. Early in the morning, just before daybreak, their thoughts were on duty.

The three women may have been feeling grateful that Jesus was no longer suffering. His ordeal of trumped up charges and kangaroo-court trials was over. The tremendous headache produced by the crown of thorns pressed upon his brow was gone. They did not find the body. They wondered who could have stolen it, and why. They had to be reminded that Jesus told them he would be raised from the dead after crucifixion. How on earth could anyone forget that? I mean, it isn’t exactly every day that someone tells you they will be resurrected. But the angels reminded them, and perhaps they thought, “Oh yes, I remember now.” Then they reminded the disciples of Jesus’ prophecy, but the memory jogger did not work for them. They still didn’t believe. At least Peter, the leader of the group, went to investigate the story. But, even then, verse 12 says he went away trying to figure out what happened. Did the truth of Jesus’ words ever occur to him?

Well, Peter and the others, had a clue in addition to the unsealed, empty tomb. Strips of discarded linen were evidence that his bound body had been loosed by the Giver of Life, who keeps his promises. Around daybreak, Jesus was set free from our greatest enemy. He was able to ask, “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?”

What power is able to revive the dead? Only the one true God is able to bring life where there is no life, and to restore life that has been snatched away. From the Genesis creation of making something out of nothing, through Jeremiah’s valley of dry bones, to reviving a young girl after her father begged for her life, to Jesus giving his life trusting God to resurrect him: the one, true God gave Jesus dominion and power and authority in heaven and on earth.

Christ has risen this day. He rises daily in the hearts of those who accept him as Lord and Savior. Easter people of faith and hope, raise your voices and repeat after me: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” (pause) The Resurrection is for you and me and the whole world. Praise God! The tomb that once housed the body of Christ is empty. We, his heirs to eternal life, have much to celebrate. Amen.