Are you an "early" or "late" person? Do you greet the day with singing at the crack of dawn, or do you silently join the ratrace somewhere around mid-morning? Admittedly, I probably fit better in the second group. I’m more likely to "burn the midnight oil" in my office than watch a beautiful sunrise on my way to work. I sometimes wish I were wired differently because it seems like many influential people and some of my favorite Bible characters are chronicled to have done significant things while starting very early in the morning.

Consider the woman at the tomb on that first Easter morning. One of the best-known accounts is given in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 1-8. We’re told that "as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb". Yes, these ladies were "Early on Easter", and like the proverbial early bird who gets the worm, they were rewarded for being first at the Lord’s tomb that day.

1) They Saw the Heavenly Angel - vs. 2-3. Not very many people have seen an angel from Heaven with their own eyes, but they did! It must have been awesome! "His countenance was like lightening and his clothing as white as snow". WOW! What a way to start your day!

2) They Saw the Helpless Guards - v. 4. At the request of the Pharisees, Pilate had ordered guards to secure and seal the tomb, and watch it around the clock. They feared the disciples would steal Christ’s body and claim he arose. But seeing the mighty angel turned those macho soldiers into mush. They "shook for fear and became like dead men".

3) They Heard the Happy Announcement - vs. 5-6. The mighty and merciful angel spoke kindly to these wide-eyed ladies. "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said". Just think of that! These "lucky" ladies were the first to hear that joyous and powerful truth that would change the world forever, making eternal life possible and available for countless souls who would trust in a victorious and risen Savior!

4) They Saw the Historic Empty Tomb - v. 6. The angel said, "Come see the place where the Lord lay". Filled with wonder and joy, those women peered into an empty tomb. They were the first human witnesses of the single, greatest miracle in history.

5) They Shared a Hope-filled Message - vs. 6-7. The angel told them to go quickly and tell the disciples the Good News that Jesus was alive and would appear to all of them soon! They wasted no time, but ran to share this happy message of hope with others.

Wow! Being early on Easter turned out to be the most thrilling day of their lives. What those ladies saw, heard and shared is forever chronicled in God’s Word, which is forever settled in Heaven.

How about you? How have you responded to the miracle and message of Easter? Have you personally trusted in the resurrected Lord? Are you gladly sharing that message of hope with others?

And oh, by the way, Easter is early this year, coming at the end of March. Come and celebrate with us. Our choir and drama team are giving two presentations of a powerful Easter musical, "The Centurion" on Good Friday night (25th) and Easter Sunday night (27th). Invite your friends, neighbors and loved ones. Let’s act quickly to share this wonderful message of hope while there’s still time. Let’s be "Early on Easter"!