John 12: 24 was spoken by Jesus when he was explaining the purpose of his death and resurrection. Verse 32 follows: "When I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself."

He accepted his suffering and death because it was necessary to bring about the glorious result that God had planned in advance. In this painting, most of the canvas is dark like the sealed tomb, but notice that the buried seed has sprung roots that are spreading and powering the green growth that springs upward into the light of Easter morning.

Mary Crickmore

Acrylic ink on watercolor paper

A barren cross. An empty tomb. A new dawn. CHRIST HAS RISEN! ALLELUIA!

Life after death is available to us all. BELIEVE in a magnificent God that loves you more than you could imagine. He sent His only son Jesus to earth. The light of the world paid the price on the cross for our sins. We are living in dark times, but there is hope and peace in God, the promise of a NEW DAWN.

Luke 24:1-53 ESV

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?

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My art is an expression of God’s nature and I want to reflect the beauty of His heart, releasing His voice through my creativity. I create what inspires me and brings me joy. My art is about beauty, joy, and hope. I pray it will feed souls and demonstrate God’s immense love.

Lisa Pires

Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20:19-20

I imagine what it will be like to hold the hands of Jesus and touch the scars that hung him on the cross. That because of these scars; his death & resurrection, we are brought to life by him. "Because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him" Acts 2:24

Becca Rosengren

I AM THE LIGHT FROM ON HIGH that dawns upon you, to give light to those who sit in darkness. Sometimes your circumstances are so difficult and confusing that you feel as if you’re surrounded by darkness. Your mind offers up various solutions to your problems, but you’ve already tried them—without success. So you fret and wonder what to do next, feeling helpless and frustrated. At times like this, you need to look up and see My Light shining down upon you. Gaze at Me in childlike trust, resting in My Presence. Let go of problem-solving efforts for a while. Cease striving, and know that I am God.

As you relax in My Presence, remember that I am the Prince of Peace. The more of Me you absorb, the more peaceful you will be. Breathe Me in with each breath. After resting with Me for a while, tell Me about your troubles—trusting Me to help you with them. Stay close to Me, My child, and I will guide your feet into the way of Peace. —Jesus Always by Sarah Young, March 30

Because of and through the heart of tender mercy and loving-kindness of our God, a Light from on high will dawn upon us and visit [us] to shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace.

—LUKE 1:78–79 AMP Kriste Sveen

John 20:14-17.

There are no words to express what Mary Magdalene felt that first Easter morning. The woman was living in a pit of hopelessness when Jesus delivered her and opened her eyes to Gods true love, real joy and perfect peace.

I can’t imagine the depths of darkness she sank into when her Lord, her Light and Life was ripped away and killed. She went to His tomb in her grief to put spices on His dead body.

I also can not imagine what Mary felt when Jesus spoke her name! Her spirit must have soared from the depth of despair to the height of Heaven. Love, Light, Life returned.....was Present and once again called her name.

( the only color is red ....the blood on Christ’s feet and Mary’s cloak ...showing she is covered by the redeeming blood of Christ).

Jayne Bischoff

See the stone that was rolled away from the empty tomb and you’ll never look at the moon the same way.

Nancy Bucca

Early, on the first day of the week, these brilliant sunbeams shown thru the clouds. It had poured through the night, trees beaten by the rough wind. In the morning, at first light, this glorious sight appeared to remind us of God’s promise to always be with us, no matter the storm.

________________ , do you love me?

(fill in your name here)

Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

Feed my sheep.

from John 21

Susan Ferrell

I often forget the power of Jesus Resurrection. Maybe because I don’t always feel like I’m doing something significant, something needing His resurrection power. In the routines of work, meals, chores, and play, I often am like those disciples on the road to Emmaus. I do the mundane things of life at times failing to recognize that even in those things it is the Resurrected Jesus that has drawn near, is walking with me and has been all along.

Peter Johnson

oil on canvas

This is the moment that changes everything for everyone. The resurrected Jesus breaks the power of darkness and welcomes us into his Light.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it". Jn 1:5

“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” Jn 8:12

Elizabeth Roskam