DEVOTIONS

Monday, April 10 – “Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb.” (Mark 16:2) This is why we worship on Sunday.  Saturday is the Sabbath, always has been and always will be.  Sunday is the Lord’s Day, for it’s the first day of the week.  The day of Jesus’ resurrection.  Even in death, Jesus was obedient.  He rested on the Sabbath.  The women, also being obedient, waited until Sunday morning to go to Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body for burial.  If Jesus was resurrected on Saturday he would have broken his own command and nobody would have known.  That is until the next day.

Tuesday, April 11 – “Telling them, ‘You are to say, his disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’” (Matthew 28:13) The Roman guards, posted at the tomb, needed a cover story.  For Jesus being resurrected couldn’t be the truth.  At least not the religious leaders’ truth.  So, the cover-up was born.  Jesus’ body was gone, not because he was who he said he was.  But because his disciples violated the Sabbath and stole his body to prove a point.  If this was actually the case, don’t you think that it’s interesting that every disciple went to his grave denying this cover-up?

Wednesday, April 12 – “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” (Mark 9:3) This is a description of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.  Who Jesus would be was who Jesus was and will always ever be.  Just like the angels at the tomb, Jesus was a spiritual being having a human experience.  The resurrection was not a fluke.  Jesus came to die and to be resurrected on the third day.  Who Jesus is, post-resurrection, is exactly the same as who Jesus was, pre-resurrection.  Again, life isn’t about what you do.  Life is about who you are! 

Thursday, April 13 – “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’” (Matthew 11:25) The women were first to the tomb.  The disciples were ordinary, everyday, uneducated men.  Jesus spent his time with sinners and the sick.  Conversely, the religious leaders rejected him.  And the Roman government executed him.  The good news of Jesus is for all people.  But some people have an easier time accepting this good news.  Does it seem that the people who should accept and embrace Jesus don’t?  While the people who know that they have no rights, no power and no standing do?  Just asking for a friend.             

Friday, April 14 – “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?’” (Luke 24:5) The women went to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body for burial.  Afterall, they saw him laid into the tomb, after he died on the cross.  Why wouldn’t his body be there?  The words of the angels are haunting – “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  How many times do you do just that?  You look for life in the midst of death.  You look for good news in bad places. You look for peace in violent people.  And you look for forgiveness amidst guilt and shame.  Your intention is good.  But your perspective is skewed. 

Saturday, April 15 – “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” (Matthew 26:32) This statement, this prophecy, this promise, was spoken by Jesus two chapters before his resurrection.  In the rush of current events, the disciples had forgotten that Jesus had told them that he would be resurrected and that he would meet them in Galilee.  They had forgotten because of the weight of the moment.  Once the women reminded them of Jesus’ words, they remembered. How about you?  Is the weight of this moment causing you to forget a promise of God?  Is the weight of this moment causing you to forget the words of Jesus?