Easter Sunday
Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed!
Passage
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Matthew 29:1-10 and Revelation 21:1-7 (ESV)
Perspective
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Jesus’ story does not end on Good Friday or Holy Saturday. Easter Sunday reminds us that God will one day defeat sin, brokenness, death, injustice, and grief once and for all. The same God who was able to resurrect Jesus will one day wipe every tear from our eyes and end suffering of any and every kind for His people. Though we still live in the messy middle, waiting for Jesus’ return and the ultimate restoration of things, Easter Sunday gives us hope that our story is not over. Even in the darkest season, the light and hope of God’s love and power can be found. That’s something to celebrate!
Ponder
What stands out to you about Matthew’s account of Jesus’ resurrection? What would it have felt like to be one of Jesus’ disciples that day? What words or phrases in Revelation 21:1-7 give you hope or speak comfort and joy to your heart? How do these two stories bring hope to your own life?
Pray
Today, thank God for the gift of hope. Thank him for his power, sovereignty and love. Express to him how much you long for him to set all things right and thank him that he is a God of justice, restoration, and kindness.
Practice
As this season of Lent ends and we rejoice in the goodness of God as displayed in the resurrection, commit to doing something daily or weekly during the season of Eastertide (from today until Pentecost Sunday) to celebrate and enjoy the hope, freedom, and joy that Jesus’ resurrection brings. This could be eating/preparing a special food(s), making time for a hobby you love but may have neglected, listening to joyful music, starting a gratitude journal or anything else that brings you joy and hope.
Thank you for joining me for this Lent devotional. I hope you found it helpful to you in this season. May the hope of Easter live in your heart in a new way this year!
