What do you see on this picture here? Can you recognize anything? Are there some persons? What are they doing?

This photo was taken by Eduard Maydanik during the 12th German Dance Competition 2008. It shows young girls in the dance that received the highest points of all group dances. “Until The Last Breath” is the title of this dance. If you want to see a photo of this dance clearly and sharp, then you have to click here. (This website is in German, however.) If you don’t click but continue reading, then you will never see the sharp version of this photo. Of course, it would be nice if you would continue reading, after all I want to tell you something that is important to me. Yet you could click nevertheless and then come back.

How often in your life has it already happened to you that you did not see things sharp and precise? It might have appeared beautiful to you, and you enjoyed looking at it, yet it was not sharp.

Did you try to find Easter eggs this year? Were your eyes sharp enough to find them?

By the way the very first Easter of all times did not at all have anything to do with eggs. I suppose you know about it, or don’t you? Yet it had got something to do with searching.

At that time in Jerusalem about 2000 years ago they had executed a preacher named Jesus. When on the day after Sabbath women according to the tradition wanted to put oil on the dead body, they did not find him. The body was not in the tomb any longer. He had disappeared. All the followers of Jesus were most irritated. Two men in the tomb, obviously angels, said, that he would have risen from the dead. Shortly afterwards the following happened:

That same day two of them were on the way to a village named Emmaus, which lay about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all these things which had happened. As they talked and discussed it with one another, Jesus himself drew near, and walked along with them. But something held their eyes from seeing who it was.

And he said to them, “What is it you are debating, as ye walk?” They stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said to him, “Are you the only person staying in Jerusalem not to know what has happened there in these days?”

And he said to them, “What do you mean?” And they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. What is more, this is the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb but failed to find his body; they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they did not see.”

And he said unto them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was the Messiah not bound to suffer thus before entering into his glory?”

Then he began with Moses and all the prophets, and explained to them the passages that referred to himself in every part of the scriptures.

By this time they had reached the village, where they were going: and he made as though he would continue his journey, but they pressed him: “Say with us for evening draws on, and the day is almost over.” So he went in and stayed with them.

And when he had sat down with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; he broke the bread and offered it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

And they said one to another, “Did we not feel our hearts on fire as he talked with us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?”

And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.”

Jesus has resurrected, Jesus lives here and today. How clear is your sight so that you are able to recognize this? What does Easter mean to you? Searching Easter eggs or having some free days for relaxing? Or do you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus together with all Christians in the whole world?

In case you don`t know Jesus yet, perhaps you are interested in having a closer look at him. He was not just some preacher and a good person. These two men in those days, they asked Jesus to stay with him and to eat with him.

Jesus would accept your invitation as well. Jesus is the Son of God, and Jesus loves you, precisely you!