Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6
“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'”
Devotion:
The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything. It was a dawn of a new age filled with hope and promise, radiating God’s love in all its fullness. When the stone rolled away, it revealed an empty tomb, and with that emptiness came an outpouring of hope that fills our hearts till this day.
Many things occurred immediately after Jesus’s resurrection—His appearances to Mary Magdalene and the other disciples, His walk along the road to Emmaus where He revealed Himself through Scripture, His encounter with Thomas who had doubted Him. Each event had a profound impact on those involved, reaffirming their faith and empowering them to continue spreading Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus’ resurrection signifies victory over death and sin. It provides us with assurance that God keeps His Word — if He says we are forgiven through Christ, then indeed we are. If He promises eternal life for those who believe in Him, then we can be certain of this gift.
But beyond just believing in His resurrection lies the crucial aspect of experiencing it in our personal lives. This goes beyond merely acknowledging His death and resurrection as historical events or theological truths but letting these realities transform us.
When we embrace Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins and accept Him into our lives as Lord and Savior, we partake in His death and resurrection. Our old selves die with Him on that cross; our sins are buried with Him in that tomb; and just as He rose again, we too rise to a new life (Romans 6:4).
The story of what happened after Jesus was resurrected is, in essence, the story of the Church. It is our story. Just as He appeared to His disciples, Jesus appears to us every day in our lives. He walks with us through our struggles and doubts, just like He did with Thomas and the two disciples on the way to Emmaus.
Let us therefore strive each day to live this resurrection life that has been gifted to us. Let us embody the hope that His resurrection brings in all we do and say. And let us never forget that Christ’s resurrection indeed is not an end but a glorious beginning.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your ultimate sacrifice and triumphant resurrection. Fill our hearts with the undeniable truth of Your victorious resurrection. May we experience anew this transformative power in our lives and be bearers of Your hope and light in this world. In Your name we pray. Amen.
