Sunday Morning—Day 1, A. D.

Starlight from the previous night faded into the golden sunrise as it conquered the dark sky. “Hurry, Joanna. Victoria, move faster.” Mary gripped the burial cloths tighter under her arm. Her feet padded silently on the packed earth pathway.

“I am trying!” Victoria huffed. “My sandal strap is loose.”

“We must reach the tomb before sunrise, or someone may stop us.” Mary’s heart pounded. She turned around to be sure the other women were close together. “Do not drop the jars, and listen for Roman soldiers.”

Joanna squawked. “What if they will not let us tend to His body? What if they mock us?” The others agreed, wide-eyed.

“You know the Romans allow us to observe our burial customs. We cannot let fear of them keep us away.” Mary raised her gaze above the olive tree tops. “Sunrise is almost here. Go! One more hill.” They rushed to the crest and down through the garden. Sunbeams streaked over the hilly horizon.

Joanna gasped, and dropped her jar. She froze as it splintered on a stone near her feet.

Victoria bumped into her and squealed. ” Oh no. Joanna! What happened?”

Mary trembled and pointed with her shaky finger. “Look. Where are the soldiers? I do not understand. They guarded the tomb.”

The heavy stone rested next to the entrance. The tomb was empty.

Mary threw her cloths to the ground and ran to the hewn out, open arch into the tomb. “Where is He?” She gripped the rough and cold entrance and peeked inside. The shroud lay on top of the stone slab, and the face cloth was folded and set aside. Mary faced the other women. “Where have they taken Him?”

Two men in dazzling apparel appeared near the tomb.

The three women clutched at each other and bowed until their faces nearly laid against the dirt.

One beautiful man spoke to them. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be crucified and on the third day rise?”

The tomb is empty. He is not there. #EasterSunday2025 #EmptyTomb