Easter
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Getting a Life!
1Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. 2Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. 3His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember, I have told you.”
8The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel’s message. 9And as they went, Jesus met them. “Greetings!” he said. And they ran to him, held his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
11As the women were on their way into the city, some of the men who had been guarding the tomb went to the leading priests and told them what had happened. 12A meeting of all the religious leaders was called, and they decided to bribe the soldiers. 13They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you and everything will be all right.” 15So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. Matthew 28:1-15
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, as life moves on from Easter and toward Pentecost, I pray that my life will be rooted and anchored in Jesus, and in His promise to be with me always to the very close of the age! I pray that you will fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may live with the power that You intend for me to have as Jesus’ witness in my community, in the surrounding region, in my nation and even to the ends of the earth. Give me boldness to proclaim the Good News of salvation to my relatives, friends, neighbors and to all in my sphere of influence. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
What do you think it will be like to see Jesus face to face?
How did the guards respond to the Easter appearance of the angel and the resurrection of Jesus? (28:11)
How did the Jewish leaders decide to address the matter? (28:12-15)
Why do you suppose that the Jewish leaders were unwilling to accept the evidence of the guards and admit that Jesus had risen from the dead?
What do you see in the guard’s story and the leaders’ response that could be reason for doubt when the story spread?
What does today’s scripture call you to do?