Happy July 4th

Happy July 4th! With those words we will all celebrate in different ways the independence of our nation. There have been many unique things that have occurred on July 4th.

 Of course, in 1776, the U.S. declared independence from Great Britain.
 In 1826, former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died.
 In 1845, Henry David Thoreau moved into his shack on Walden Pond.
 In 1848, The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels was published.
 In 1865, Alice in Wonderland was first published.
 In 1884, the Statue of Liberty was presented to the United States in Paris.
 In 1895, Katherine Lee Bates published America the Beautiful.
 In 1997, the U.S. Pathfinder probe landed on Mars.

While it was not on July 4th, another incredible event took place many years ago that makes all of these pale in comparison as far as eternal significance is concerned.

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. (John 20:1-18 ESV).

That was the day of ultimate freedom! It is the day to remember! As you find yourself enjoying the liberty won for all of us through the sacrifice of so many early patriots, remember the victory won for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Spend some time today with your family and friends reflecting on that sacrifice. Enjoy both of your freedoms!