Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

The Resurrection

28 Early on Sunday morning,[a] as the new day was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the
Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat
on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as
white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw
him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he
said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said
would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And
now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from
the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see
him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very
frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give
the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus
met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his
feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be
afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see
me there.” (Matthew 28:1-10)
 
Reflection:

There are times in our lives when fear grips us and doubt clouds
are minds. We go through seasons where our present
circumstances and situations can make us forget Jesus's
promise to us.
 
In our text, Mary Magdalene and Mary came to the tomb looking
for Jesus body and, seen the empty tomb, they became afraid..
The women did not see the tomb as a fulfillment of Jesus promise
revealed to them.

But Jesus, through his angel, reassured them just as he reassures
us of what he promised-that "just as He said," He has risen. On
this Resurrection Day, Jesus invites us to come and experience
him through His death (v.6) and resurrection without fear (v.10)

Prayer:

Resurrected God, whatever the circumstances, help us to stay
faithful in the truth of your death and resurrection, knowing that
you are always with us  AMEN!

(The Covenant Home Alter, author, Darrick Tam)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that
whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that
the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

HE IS RISEN!  HALLELUJAH!

Read Psalm 23.

TEXT: All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before
Him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who
could not keep himself alive (Psalm 22:29).

This passage from Psalm 22 speaks of all who worship and
bow before Jesus our victorious King and Lord. All believers
prosper under His rich blessings, which include partaking of
His body and blood in Communion, as well as worshipping,
praising and glorifying Him who has done such great things
for us.

This day after Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, we
remember how His body rested in a borrowed tomb. Christ's
victory gives hope to us when we are going down into the dust,
soon to sleep in death for a short while just as He did, awaiting
the resurrection of our bodies. "Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

But this is not just a day for the living or the dying. Even those
who were unable to keep themselves alive, those believers who
died and whose bodies now lie in the grave, their spirits also
bow before Him and worship in His presence. They too wait the
day of the resurrection of their bodies, but they dwell in the
presence of God our Father and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. "They
shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not
strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst
of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to
springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from
their eyes" (Revelation 7:16-17).

THE PRAYER:

 Lord Jesus Christ, we praise and worship You as we look
forward to seeing You face to face, bowing before You with all
the saints already worshipping before Your throne. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Psalm 2.

TEXT: For kingship belongs
to the Lord, and He rules over the nations
(Psalm 22:28).

On this day when we remember Jesus'
death on the cross, we often think of Him
as the Victim. We think of His pain and
agony, the enemies that taunted, mocked
and ridiculed Him, as well as His bitter
suffering and death for our sins.
 
But there is another side to Good Friday.
It focuses on Christ as the great Victor. He
is likened to young David, carrying only
a sling and a few smooth stones to engage
in a battle to the death against the giant
Goliath, coated in heavy armor,standing
behind his shield, arrogantly shaking his
spear and sword.

On this day Jesus our King goes up all
alone to battle to the death with the giant
Satan, rattling his weapons of sin, death
and hell. Jesus comes as the King and
Defender of all nations. He stumbles along
the road, beaten and battered. He carries
no weapons, no shield, only the rough cross
piece.

Our Hero looks weak, helpless, and easily
defeated as He falls to His knees again and
again, but in His suffering and death He
crushes the serpent's head. He frees us
from God's wrath, from dire punishments on
earth and in hell.

At the end of the battle He stands alone --
Satan, sin, death and hell have all fallen --
 vanquished, crushed, defeated. In three days
He will rise from the grave in majesty and power,
with complete and total victory. There can be no
doubt -- He truly is the King of Kings and Ruler
over all the nations.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for Your great
victory over all our enemies. Lead our celebration
of that great deliverance as we await the day we
will see You face to face -- our
victorious Warrior and King. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)