Matthew 28:1-4 – Into the Light

“Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.” (Matthew 28:1-4)

Happy Easter! We can celebrate Easter every day because we live in a world that knows a resurrected Savior. Getting to know Jesus is the best way we can spend our time in this life. Not knowing Jesus is only half living, and sadly, too many people don’t realize that. So Happy Resurrection Day, as we say in Mexico! Jesus lives! Hallelujah.

Context (Matthew 28:1-10): This is Matthew’s account of what happened when Jesus rose from the dead. Matthew puts the two Mary’s at the tomb. They are the messengers who tell the other disciples that Jesus is alive. Not only do they encounter an angel, but they receive a message from Jesus himself. Can you even imagine what these women must have been thinking or feeling? It might be a joyous disbelief, yet complete awe, reverence, and peace. Let yourself feel that exuberance as you reread the text. Continue reading “Matthew 28:1-4 – Into the Light”

Psalm 31:2 – While We Wait

“Turn your ear to listen to me;
rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
    a fortress where I will be safe.”
(Psalm 31:2)

This is a great verse to help us when we are feeling afraid or apprehensive about something happening in our lives. As I’m writing this, we’re approaching the end of Holy Week on Saturday. Jesus’ followers would have been worried and fearful they might be hunted down and executed next. It would have been a time of reflection and crying out to God.

Context: Psalm 31 is a psalm of David with a feeling of lament all the way through. David also reminds us God is who we should trust. Sometimes when we’re stuck in one of those challenges of life, we forget to fully rely on God. In this verse, as well the whole psalm, David cries out for God’s deliverance from his enemies.

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Luke 23:46 – Jesus’ Last Words

“Then Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!’ And with those words he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46)

What do we learn from Jesus’ last words? He trusted God, his Father, to the very end. We can’t even begin to imagine the agony Jesus went through for us. Yet through it all, he stayed true to God. Before his ministry even started, the devil tried to derail Jesus’ mission. Jesus overcame so many of the tests we face as humans. Jesus “shouted” these words as if there was an unspoken exclamation point.

Context: Chapter 23 of Luke covers a lot of ground from Jesus’ trial before Pilate, to the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. All the events we, as Christians, remember on Good Friday. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard children ask, why is it “good” if Jesus died? They bring up a very good point. Continue reading “Luke 23:46 – Jesus’ Last Words”

Mark 16:1-8 – Jesus is Alive!

Read Mark 16:1-8

What would have been your reaction when finding the empty tomb? Shock. Fear. It’s hard to put ourselves there truly because we know how the story plays out. We know the empty tomb is exactly what we should have expected. Jesus told us after all. But where was Jesus now?

I’m not going to dive into the “why we have different endings” discussion. Neither of the added endings say anything contrary or surprising in light of what we know about Jesus’ life on earth, both before and after his death. Hallelujah, Jesus is alive!

Continue reading “Mark 16:1-8 – Jesus is Alive!”

Isaiah 53:1-12 – Man of Sorrows

Read Isaiah 53:1-12

Doesn’t it boggle your mind to read Isaiah’s words given to him by God generations before Jesus embodied them? They couldn’t more perfectly describe what our LORD endured. On Holy Saturday, as Jesus’ body lies in the tomb, asleep yet battling death, we remember.

When do you think people connected the dots and realized that Isaiah’s prophecy spoke of Jesus? How do people today react to this prophecy? Reading it through the “lens of Holy Week” the richness of the message is even more powerful.

Continue reading “Isaiah 53:1-12 – Man of Sorrows”
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