Morning Devotional 040526 Happy Easter

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

April 5, 2026

Matthew 28:1-10

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. 2 Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone, he rolled it away and sat on it. 3 Now his face was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. 4 The guards were so terrified of him that they shook with fear and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. 7 Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I’ve given the message to you.” 8 With great fear and excitement, they hurried away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. 9 But Jesus met them and greeted them. They came and grabbed his feet and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.”

Good Morning! The Lord is Risen!

It was a beautiful sunrise this morning. Matthew’s account of Easter morning includes great emotion and dramatic imagery. There is an earthquake, and an angel who moves the stone and sits awaiting the arrival of the women. In contrast, the arrival at the tomb in John is void of emotion. 

Think of reading accounts of a big event. Some are full of emotion, while others read more like a detective's case file. This is one of those times when perhaps the details don’t matter. The bottom line is that Jesus, who was crucified and laid in the tomb, is risen. 

The missing body created a scandal for the Jewish leaders. Just in case the things Jesus had said were true, they had placed guards at the tomb so that no one could “steal” the body. After all, they didn’t want the crowds to believe that Jesus had been resurrected, but risen indeed, and the world was forever changed.

Hallelujah! Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed! 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! We love you, O God! Thank you for sending Jesus to save us. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to save us!

Christ Jesus lives today!  Pastor Liz