So, How are You Going to Celebrate Easter Sunday?
Good Morning Friends,
It was dark on that Sunday morning. But they could not sleep. So the woman got up and as they headed for the tomb the sun began to rise. Their path was lined with moon shadows that reminded them of the painful darkness that hovered over their souls even as they tried to remember the joy of Jesus. But instead their thoughts relived the terrible events of the last few days. The scenes were playing out again and again in their minds. But finally their faith in, their love for and their devotion to Jesus overcame them. They wanted to see the tomb….to see Jesus but had no idea how they were going to remove the stone. Then everything changed. They were not looking to have fun. But this morning was like no other.
There suddenly was a surprise party awaiting them…something a little frightening and joyous as well. Something to unleash to new life some halleluiahs. So, How are You Going to Celebrate Easter Sunday?
Scripture: Top of Form
Bottom of Form
17If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
1 Corinthians 15:17 (NRSV)
28After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he* lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead,* and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’*
Matthew 28:1-10, 16-29 (NRSV)
Message: Jesus did not need the stone rolled away. He was already gone. But the women needed it rolled away so that they could see that the tomb was empty. Peter needed to see it so that he would be prepared to receive forgiveness. What Jesus said was true. This had to mean that Jesus was alive. And since John and the women saw him die, it must also mean that Jesus had risen from the dead… Jesus had defeated death. No one was going to take the body. That kind of conspiracy, based on a lie, would never hold together. They would be found out and killed. There was no other conclusion for the women and there is no other rational conclusion for us either. Were they surprised? Yes certainly, but with the evidence today we must reach the same conclusion. Consider that we worship today. Consider that our calendars have been changed. Consider that testimonies of the resurrection exceed 500 eye witnesses. Consider that no one produced the body to dispute the resurrection. Consider that support for the historic event is in the writings of others who were not even practicing Christians. This is not a story…but history…His Story. And that means that with the tomb being empty His forgiveness is full… we too are heirs to the Kingdom…we indeed have something to be happy about this Easter. We have something to celebrate….life.
Pray we celebrate Easter by entering into the mystery. Pray we have the ability to wonder and contemplate and listen to the silence in which God speaks. Pray we are not afraid of this reality. Pray we overcome our fear to embrace the joy of Jesus. Pray we are willing to go beyond our comfort zone. Pray we seek deeper meaning in the mystery of Jesus. Pray we are humble. Pray we adore Jesus. Pray we see the light and power of the resurrection. Pray that every time we think we have gone beyond His grace that we remember that He died in our place. Pray we share in the new life made possible by the risen Lord…the indescribable joy of the salvation of our souls. Pray the stone rolls away from our eyes.
Pray that we begin to sort out how we have changed in the experience of Lent and Easter.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 