Christian Reflection and Prayer

RESURRECTION SUNDAY

"Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' ..." (John 20:16a).
Read John 20:1-18.

After the long, dark weekend, Mary Magdalene left
early Sunday morning to go out to Jesus' tomb.
Already filled with grief and sorrow she saw the
tomb broken open and Jesus' body missing.

She ran to tell the disciples someone had stolen
His body. Peter and John ran out to investigate,
then went back into hiding to consider what they
had seen. Mary stayed behind at the tomb,
overwhelmed with sorrow.

Have you ever stood at a graveside totally lost and
immersed in unspeakable grief? Imagine Mary's
pain, totally shattered by the brutal murder of her
Lord.

But Jesus had already told His disciples how the
story would end. This was a day of joy and victory;
it was not a day of grief and loss. And so Jesus
came up to her and at the sound of her name on
His lips, the light burst forth and scattered the
darkness of Mary's grief.

When we stand by a loved one's grave, this is a
moment to remember. On the Last Day our loved
ones who are now separated from us, hidden in
the darkness of the grave will stand before us
shining. Their voices that are now still in death will
be music in our ears once again when the Light
comes to raise the dead and vanquish the darkness
forever.

We will see Jesus with our own eyes just as Mary
did on that great day of resurrection. And we will
shine in that glorious light forever and ever.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for bursting out of the tomb
on this glorious day, revealing our future and that of
our loved ones who have died in faith. Give us joy,
courage and hope as we await that glorious day of
Your return, and help us share it with all. We pray
in Your holy Name. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

HE'S IS RISEN ALLELUIA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy Saturday

"So they (Joseph and Nicodemus) took the body of
Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices,
as is the burial custom of the Jews" (John 19:40).
Read John 19:31-42.

Good Friday is drawing to its close. With the
Passover quickly approaching, Pilate orders the legs
of the crucified men to be broken so they will die
quickly. The legs of the two criminals hanging at
Jesus' side are broken. But since Jesus is already
dead His side is pierced with a spear instead and
out flows blood and water-proof that the King of the
Jews is truly dead.

That's when a secret disciple of Jesus steps forward.
Joseph of Arimathea is a prominent member of the
Jewish high court who did not agree with their
decision to put Jesus to death. He boldly steps out
of the darkness and asks Pilate for permission to
bury Jesus' body. Pilate grants it.

Another secret disciple joins him. The Pharisee
Nicodemus who had snuck through the darkness of
night to talk to Jesus now steps into the light and
helps Joseph lay our Lord's body to rest in Joseph's
new tomb.

But it is only a rest. Death has no hold over Jesus'
body. It cannot even touch His body with the stain of
decay. On the third day He will rise to life and live
forever.

One day you and I will be laid in our own graves. But
for all of us who trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior,
our future will be the same as His. Our bodies will
rest in the grave until He returns; then Jesus will
 raise us to share paradise with Him forever.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for hallowing our graves through
Your rest in the grave. Fill us with joy and confidence-
even in the face of death-so that we will see You with
our own eyes when You come to wake our bodies from
death. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

Verse

And they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit
on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise
again.  Mark 10:34 NKJV Study Bible

Voice

The cross was two pieces of dead wood; and a
helpless, unresisting man was nailed to it; yet it
was mightier than the world, and triumphed, and
will ever triumph over it.
Augustus William Hare

Prayer

While we were still your enemies, Lord Jesus Christ,
you suffered and died for us, winning the victory over
death for our sakes. Give us grace to lift you up as
we follow the way of your cross so that all people
may be drawn unto you. Amen.
Common Prayer