When I was told to choose between you and a thief, like the crowd in Jerusalem, I chose the thief to live and you to die. Like the Roman soldiers, I mocked you as you walked to your death, I made fun of your claims and taunted you about your powers. Like Simon (Peter), I denied knowing you, I told others I had nothing to do with you. Like Saul (Paul), when they claimed you had risen, I became furious and applauded the killing of your followers. I persecuted them and routed them from their homes.

Like the Roman emperors and many other tyrants, I passed laws against worshipping you, and stirred the people against your people. I made up and spread lies against you and your church. I blamed you for all the evils of humanity. I hated you.

But you did not hate me back. You forgave me. You forgave all of it, and showed me nothing but love. I rejected it, but you never gave up on me.

And then You rose. Dead, buried, lost, You rose from the dead in my soul, and showed Yourself to me as You had done so long ago, and spoke, this time to me, and told me things I would not listen to before. You were dead in my soul, and then…You were alive. I saw who you really are, and  I bowed my head and cried and begged forgiveness, and it was granted. I asked You what I should do, and You told me “Believe in Me, read My words, follow My path. Spread My message”.

“Thank you, Lord” I said, and I felt the light rise in my heart and soul as the sun rises in the new morning, and I too rose in the grace of Jesus Christ, the risen Savior. Alleluia.