Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 17, 2022
Read 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, Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!
For Christians, Easter Sunday is the most important celebration in our lives. On that first Easter, our lives were changed forever when Christ conquered death and gave eternal life to all who accepted him as their Lord and Savior. Each year we take time to say thank you and remember. We are Easter People! Praise God!
Mary Magdalene and Mary (Jesus’ mother) had gone to the tomb to see and pay respect to their fallen Lord. Imagine their surprise when the stone was rolled away and Jesus was not inside. As we read this account in each of the Gospels, we get slightly different accounts of what happened. After all, only the Marys were actually there and Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were the ones who retold the story in their Gospel accounts.
The important part is the same, Jesus is no longer in the tomb! Just as He had told them, after three days, he has risen from the dead. How long do you think that it took for the light bulbs to go off in their brains? After all, they are still in shock over the betrayal and crucifixion. They want to believe, but they are still afraid that they may be arrested. It will take a little time, but slowly they will begin to understand the significance of this morning. Each of them works to continue Jesus' ministry so that all might hear and be saved.
This Easter morning is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new world order in which death no longer has power. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corr. 15:55-57
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Hallelujah! Thank You! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Because of Jesus’ victory over death, I can experience new life.
Hallelujah! Pastor Liz
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