Key Thought

"Go quickly and tell his followers!"
We sometimes forget that we need to be reminded that Jesus conquered death. He is no longer in the tomb. Jesus isn't just risen; he is living, and he is Lord.
The realities of life sometimes crash in around us, too. We have loved ones die and we grieve because of the separation that death brings. We cry because we hurt deep inside. We are saddened because life seems so short.
But Jesus' resurrection is the assurance and insurance of our own. Jesus' victory over death means the life of every one of his followers matters and counts. Jesus' reign in his Kingdom means that we have hope that allows us to grieve, but not as those who have no hope -- we grieve with expectation of seeing them again, of being reunited with them in the presence of the One who died so that we can live with him forever.
I don't know about you, but I've got several folks I need to tell about this!

Today's Prayer

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O precious Father and Almighty God, you are my Rock in the storm and Light in the darkness. Your victory over death for me in Jesus has sustained me with hope in the darkest days of loved ones who have died. I believe that because of Jesus, I will share heaven, not only with you, but also with those I love who have loved you and honored Christ as Lord. Please lead me to someone who needs that encouragement. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

The day after the Sabbath day was the first day of the week. At dawn on the first day, Mary Magdalene and the other woman named Mary went to look at the tomb. At that time there was a very strong earthquake. An angel of the Lord came from the sky. The angel went to the tomb and rolled the stone away from the entrance. Then the angel sat on the stone. The angel was shining very bright like lightning. His clothes were white like snow. The soldiers guarding the tomb were very afraid of the angel. They shook with fear and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, the one that was killed on the cross. But Jesus is not here. He has risen from death, like he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was. And go quickly and tell his followers. Tell them: 'Jesus has risen from death. He is going into Galilee. He will be there before you. You will see him there.'" Then the angel said, "Now I have told you." So the women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell his followers what happened. While the women were running to tell the followers, Jesus was standing there before them. Jesus said, "Hello!" The women went to Jesus. They held him at his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to the women, "Don't be afraid. Go and tell my brothers (followers) to go to Galilee. They will see me there." The women went to tell the followers. At the same time, some of the soldiers that were guarding the tomb went into the city. They went to tell the leading priests everything that happened. Then the priests met with the older Jewish leaders and made a plan. They paid the soldiers much money {to tell a lie}. They said to the soldiers, "Tell the people that Jesus' followers came during the night and stole the body while you were sleeping. If the governor hears about this, we will satisfy him and save you from trouble." So the soldiers kept the money and obeyed thepriests. And that story is still spread among the Jews even today.

— Matthew 28:1-15 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.