Did You Hear the News?

         I was at the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.  I think about every military person in the Washington, D. C. area at the time was also there. It was probably the most important event I ever attended.  I have never been at royal weddings or ground breaking of a famous building.  For the most part, I have no desire to be at most events  the world considers to be important.  I don't feel as if I have been denied some great pleasure by not attending most of the world's events.  There is, however,  only one event that I would like to have been present at that occurred many years ago.    Matthew 28:6 says, "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."  
       I would like to have been walking with the group of women as they headed to the tomb to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus Christ after His death on the cross at Calvary.  I would like to have been there when the announcement was made by the angels that He was not there but had risen as He said He was going to do. That changed the atmosphere of the group from sadness to joy.  The second event I would like to have attended was that day forty days later on the Mount of Olives when Jesus gave His last words and then ascended up into heaven.  There He went, no string attached, straight up into heaven.  Earthly laws were broken as He defied gravity and ascended upwards into the clouds.  Now, at the third event I am going to be present for it is going to be the time when the Lord Jesus Christ returns in Paul called the "catching away" or the rapture of the church as Paul described to the Thessalonians.  These are pinnacle events in the life of the believer.  Everything depends upon the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Without the resurrection, we would have no New Testament or any church buildings, or any bells or any hymn books and our calendar would have a different date on it.  The resurrection was unbelievable to say the least.  After all of suffering and anguish on the cross, Jesus died, but then He rose from the dead. The resurrection was a miracle and the ascension was a miracle and when Jesus comes for His Bride, it will be a miracle.  Today is one more day closer to the time when the Lord Jesus Christ will come for His Bride.  You may not have attended royal weddings or funerals but there is coming a day when you can be present at the greatest event in the history of mankind and it can be guaranteed by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.  He said it to Nicodemus and He said it to the Philippian Jailer. Praise God for His power to do the unexpected.