Every good mystery starts with a crime, sometimes it’s a robbery of something very valuable or the murder of a prominent figure in the story. There is always a dedicated law enforcement officer on the case, usually a detective. The investigation begins with the scene of the crime, evidence is collected and witnesses questioned and possible suspects interviewed. Unfortunately, some crimes remain unsolved for many years; then new evidence is uncovered , the case is solved and the criminal brought to justice.

It was the time of festivals, the city was filled with people from everywhere who came to Jerusalem to worship for Passover; a major Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egyptian slavery. God had given His people a mandate to keep this throughout their generations. Who would have known this would be a very different festival season. It started on Thursday, Jesus and His disciples were having their Passover meal; I can imagine the table was filled with roasted lamb, figs, grapes, dates, flat bread and wine along with bitter herbs.

Conversations filled the room as the disciples talked with each other, Jesus took on the role of a servant by washing the disciples feet after which He explained His actions was an example for them to do the same to each other. When He returned to the table the mood was changed by an announcement from Jesus, one of you will betray me He said quietly; His words sending shock waves through the room. Can you imagine the looks of surprise and confusion the disciples experienced, who would do such a thing was on their minds as they looked from one to the other.

Yet, one of them did; Judas betrayed His master for 30 pieces of silver, the cost of a slave. The religious leaders had wanted to silence this man called Jesus for a long time; He was teaching the people about the love of the Father, showing mercy and grace to those the leaders thought unworthy, and healing them of their diseases. Now they had Him in their hands, now they could once and for all time be rid of Him. They had already conspired to put Him to death. That fateful Friday found Jesus hanging on a cross between two criminals, crucifixion was the cruelest form of punishment inflicted by the Romans.

In His anguish He asked the Father to forgive those who had treated Him so brutally, with the words “it is finished” He breathed His last breath. A friend begged for His body, He was removed from the cross and laid in a borrowed tomb where He rested until the Sabbath had ended. Early on the 1st day of the week the women came to the tomb and found it empty, the body was missing; the greatest mystery had begun; where is the Lord? Who knew where the body could be found, so many questions that needed answers. She couldn’t see through the tears, the body was missing and she was beside herself.

Looking again into the tomb she saw two men, one at the head where the body had lain and one at the foot; why are you crying they asked? The body is missing she said and I don’t know where He is, the response was “He is risen”, go and tell His disciples the tomb is empty. The mystery has been solved; He lives, death could not hold Him. Death has been conquered, the price of our ransom for sin paid; “He is risen, never to die again”. Because of His blood salvation is free. Happy resurrection day.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.