I'll never forget that cold morning my freshman year in Academy. Our science teacher invited us to wake up before dawn and come down to the administration building parking lot to gaze at the stars with his high-powered telescope. I had never looked at space through such a fine star-gazing instrument. What I saw exceeded my expectations! I was especially shocked I could see Saturn's rings! Seeing such a sight as that with my own eyes was worth waking up early and braving the cold. I've always looked up to the heavens and admired what I could see, I just never imagined I could see something that amazing.

This past Sabbath we celebrated Jesus' resurrection in our worship service, studying Mark 16:1-7. The angel meets Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome at the tomb to give them some fantastic news! Verses 5-7 says, "As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

The women knew Jesus was a wonderful teacher, amazing leader, gifted healer, miracle worker, and maybe even the Son of God; but they weren't expecting Him to conquer His own death! They weren't expecting the tomb to be empty! They had spices and other materials to prepare Jesus' body for burial, but Jesus surprises them by being alive and already a step ahead of them!

Whatever difficulties, sadness, frustrations or fear you might be experiencing, please take this message to heart today: Jesus is already a step ahead of all those issues you're facing. He is the God of wonderful surprises who is planning endless joy for everyone willing to trust in Him. Look ahead to Jesus. He is prepared to exceed your greatest expectations.

Pastor Michael Brackett