When I think of the Resurrection, three unlikely people come to mind: Peter, Mary Magdalene, and the Centurion. Peter had said he would die with Jesus, but instead, he denied he even knew him. Peter wanted no part of Jesus washing his feet until Jesus said, “Unless I wash your feet, you will have no part of me!” Only then did Peter consent. Still, he abandoned Jesus in his hour of need.

The Centurion was a soldier who witnessed Jesus’ journey to the cross. The crucified one spoke no words of hatred to those who had condemned him; instead, he spoke words of love. The Centurion somehow understood the power of what he witnessed: “Surely this was the Son of God.” While we know nothing of this man after this amazing moment, surely his life was changed forever.

And our threesome ends with Mary Magdalene. Forgiven from the very moment she knew Jesus, she brings her pain and anguish to the tomb. Jesus’ body is missing; instead, there is a “man” she thinks is the gardener. The man speaks her name: “Mary.” And her eyes are opened to her Resurrected Lord! Jesus is alive, never to die again!

We are these people in our humanness and sinfulness. But we are equally saved by the God who loves us and died to save us. As we begin the season of Easter, daily rejoice that we have a Savior who loves us enough to die for us that we might live with him forever. Alleluia!