The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
Matthew 28:5-7 NIV
He is Not Here
It is estimated that four million Canadians don’t currently live in Canada. They contribute to showcasing Canada and Canadian values around the world in a variety of fields, such as culture, sports and science. These Canadian citizens living abroad can also benefit from services offered by Canada, such as consular services or repatriation in the event of difficult or unexpected situations, or to simply want to maintain ties with the country. This population of Canada is often called the “Canadian diaspora.”
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Too often in our world people go missing. We’ve all be startled to receive an amber alert siren screaming from our phones. I can’t image what it must be like to have a loved one go missing. Panic isn’t too strong a word. On the first Resurrection Day, the women went to the tomb, and were shaken to learn that the body of Jesus wasn’t there. Their rabbi, their Master, their Lord, their friend, was gone. But this time, it was all good news. The very best news ever. In Matthew 28:5-7 we are told: “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Jesus wasn’t there, not where they had left Him. This was the greatest news ever. It still is. Happy Resurrection Day!
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley