What Really Happened on Easter?
Monday, April 12, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the joy of the resurrection! Thank You that everyday of this life I get to look forward to the blessings of knowing Jesus as my Savior and Lord, and that I get to look forward to eternity with You, because of His life, death and resurrection. I pray that You will fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may receive the power to live that resurrection life here and now—that I may become more and more like Jesus with each passing moment. I pray that You will be glorified in my life through every thought, word and action. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Matthew 28:1-15
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.
Reflecting on God's Word
What do you think it will be like to be raised from the dead after this life ends?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
How did the women know that Jesus had truly risen from the dead? (28:8-10)
What instructions did Jesus give the women? (28:8-10)
Understanding God's Purpose
Why do you suppose that Jesus decided to appear first to the women, rather than His disciples?
What does Jesus’ appearance to the women first, tell us about His intentions for ALL people?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What do you find in Jesus’ instructions to the women that could apply to your life right now?
Thoughts...Tell My Brothers...
On the night of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, all of His “brothers” had in one way or another let Jesus down. One had betrayed Him. Another had denied Him. All had run away leaving Him alone to face the Jewish and Roman authorities. When He had asked them to pray, they fell asleep instead. As He hung on the cross, they watched from a distance as He died. Yet on resurrection morning, Jesus told the women to go and tell His “brothers” to leave for Galilee, and they would see Him there! Jesus’ words are the first assurance that Jesus truly died to forgive our sins and our shortcomings. Jesus wasn’t holding any grudges on that first Easter morning. He didn’t select a whole new group of disciples, although He was forced to replace Judas, since Judas had taken His own life. Short of that—there is ALWAYS hope in Jesus. As long as we have the breath of life in us, Jesus can transform us, and that IS His deepest desire. Jesus doesn’t hold our sins against us—He died to pay their penalty. He doesn’t want them paralyzing our lives either. The next time we sin and fall short of God’s glory, let’s remember that Jesus still calls us “brother” or “sister,” that He desires for us to come to Him, to turn from our sin (repent) and to come back to Him, that we may enjoy the abundant life that He died to provide, and rose to demonstrate it’s reality!