Matthew 28:1-6
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen…
This is the day that removed “impossible” from our vocabulary. The same Jesus that was executed on Friday rose from the dead on Sunday. That doesn’t change SOME things; that changes EVERY thing! Think about all the energy expended through the years to silence the Christian movement, to shut down the Jesus-train. If someone were to find the bodily remains of Christ then it’s game-over for Christianity. But there hasn’t been a body discovered because there is no BODY to find – “He is not here; he has risen…”
If God could redeem the darkness and injustice of this week for the salvation of the world, then there’s nothing we come up against that’s beyond His redemptive reach. It might get bloody. It will most likely be painful. The sacrifice required will run bone-deep. The obstacles will be boulder-like. But rest assured that Jesus gets the last word. And with that word he says—“rise and live.” Is anything too hard for the Lord? Today shouts and emphatic NO.
King Jesus, you are the Resurrected One. All glory, honor, power and dominion are yours. Thank you for the hope that this day brings. Thank you for showing us that our tombs become a place of resurrection. Put to death in us what needs to be put to death. Raise to life what you long to raise to life. May our lives radiate resurrection joy today! For your glory, Amen.