READ
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.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
Matthew 28:1-10
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.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
Matthew 28:1-10
REFLECT
Picture yourself in this story. You head over to Jesus’ tomb to grieve, only to find that the giant stone blocking the entrance of the tomb has been rolled away. Not only is the tomb open - it’s empty! Just as you’re about to leave, an angel appears and tells you that the tomb is empty because Jesus is alive! What would you be feeling and thinking?
What comes to mind when you think of a tomb? A tomb is a symbol of death. But the empty tomb is a symbol of the greatest hope the world has ever known. On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead and proved that He was who He said he was. On Easter, Jesus defeated death forever, allowing us to have eternal life and a relationship with Him.
Spend today reflecting on the truth that Jesus is alive, and that because He is alive, you can experience a life that is full of purpose, truth, and love.
What comes to mind when you think of a tomb? A tomb is a symbol of death. But the empty tomb is a symbol of the greatest hope the world has ever known. On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead and proved that He was who He said he was. On Easter, Jesus defeated death forever, allowing us to have eternal life and a relationship with Him.
Spend today reflecting on the truth that Jesus is alive, and that because He is alive, you can experience a life that is full of purpose, truth, and love.
RESPOND
Spend a few minutes expressing gratitude to Jesus for what He did 2000 years ago, and that you can have a relationship with Him.
What do you need today? What are you grateful for today? Is there anything you need to get off of your chest? Tell Jesus about it.
What do you need today? What are you grateful for today? Is there anything you need to get off of your chest? Tell Jesus about it.