The resurrection of our Lord Jesus is a magnificent day in history. It is the true story of our Savior, who rose from the dead. Death could not stop Him for He overcame death. 1After Jesus had been crucified for our sins, on the cross, He breathed His last breath and died. He was then laid to rest in Joseph’s tomb, with a stone rolled over it. Pilot then spoke with the chief priests and Pharisees about the matter. They were scared that Jesus’s disciples would steal the body and then say Jesus was alive. So the stone was sealed and soldiers kept watch. However, nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus. On the first day of the week, 2“there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.” Only the hand of God could allow such an experience to happen. The soldiers were sore afraid. 2“For fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” Mary Magdalene and the mother of Jesus, Mary, were in the midst, when the angel spoke to them. 2“Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen.” The angel then invited them to see the empty tomb and to 2“tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead.” With 2“fear and great joy”, they 2“did run to bring his disciples word.”
After Jesus’s mother and Mary Magdalene went their way to bring word of the resurrection of Jesus to His disciples, Jesus appeared in their midst. He then said 2“All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.” In their worship, Jesus knew they were also afraid and said, 2“be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.” This message was delivered to Jesus’s disciples. They then went away to Galilee to see the risen Lord. 2“And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.” The worship the Lord could not be stopped, for the God of the heavens had returned in all His glory. And Jesus accepted their worship and praise. He then spoke to them, 2“saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” He taught them the importance of baptism. 3In baptism, we are crucified with Him, into death, and then risen up with Christ, into newness of life. He then commanded them to teach people 2“to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Will you commit to follow Jesus and obey His teachings? If this is the desire of your heart, then Jesus will be with you, to strengthen you. How grateful I am to be led by Jesus, the risen Lord.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, it is awesome to celebrate Your resurrection. It truly is a day to celebrate, for You have risen from the grave. All praises to the Lord, who conquered death. Death could not hold You captive, for You have overcome the grave. Because You have risen, I am able to stand now with newness of life. Your blood has covered all my sins and I am set on a better path. The resurrection brings me hope for a new day. With You at the head, I can do all things. Nothing can hold me back. My old man is dead and I am ready to get to work for You. Use this new life to reach overs for Your kingdom. Lead me to the lost. Help me share the truth of Your words to everyone that has an ear to hear. Use me Lord. I want all the world to know that You live. That only salvation is through You, Jesus. I trust in You. You are my Lord and I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 27:57-66 (KJV)
57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
2Matthew 28 (KJV)
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
3Romans 6:1-9 (KJV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.