The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 28:1-7. “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first
day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.
2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord
descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.
3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking
for Jesus who has been crucified.
6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where
He was lying.
7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold,
He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him, behold, I have told
you.”

This passage of Scripture always brings to mind my first solo visit to Israel. I had
visited the Garden Tomb and returned to my living quarters, when I encountered
a Canadian Military Officer, who told me he visited Israel every year. He insisted
on showing me the Garden Tomb, despite my having already been there.

Subsequently, I yet again visited the Garden Tomb –this time alone. It was quiet;
no one else was there. I entered the Tomb, sat quietly and allowed my mind to
recall the Scriptures that placed the LORD Jesus right there, centuries past. I
tried to pray, but my emotions resisted even prayer. Yet, what I envisiioned that
day was related only to that glorious time when Jesus arose. Then and there,
He was not there. He had risen!

Now, I am awaiting another glorious time! He is returning home to this Earth—not
to the Tomb He once briefly occupied, but in the air! –coming from His glorious
Heavenly Home, where we, who have trusted Him as LORD and Savior of our
lives, will be caught up to meet Him. ”…and so we shall always be with the LORD”
(2 Cor. 12:2, 4; 1 Thes. 4:17). What a glorious, breath-taking experience that will
be!

Like the Garden Tomb I visited, this glorious rising to meet Him in the air is more
glorious still. Besides, it’s free! Jesus Himself paid the price at the Cross many
years ago. He has given us the opportunity to meet Him in the air when He comes
again. The only “cost” to us lies in our confessing our sin and accepting Him by faith
as our LORD and Savior. You can do that, if you haven’t already! It’s important to
be ready, because we do not and cannot know the precise time of His Coming.
That’s why the Scriptures say, “Today is the Day of Salvation.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom