Daily Devotion for April 16, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 47

 

Resurrection Day

 

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.  Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'"  Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.  Mark 16: 1-8

 

With the dawning of the first Easter Day, the world awoke to a completely new era. As dark and restless as the previous day had been, Sunday dawned with a new light and a new peace. It was the light of resurrection, of the death of despair and the birth of joy; the death of fear and the birth of hope; the death of the old covenant and the birth of the new. At Calvary, more than a man died: death itself died, and for it, there would be no rising.

 

The women were coming to anoint His body with fine spices, to perform one last service for their Lord. As they made their way to the tomb they worried about how they were going to roll away the stone, but when they arrived they were horror stricken to discover that it had already been moved, and that the gravesite lay open! Had someone stolen His body?

 

As they entered the sepulcher, trembling with fear, apprehension, and an element of anger at what they saw as theft, they saw a young man clothed in white. He startled them and they were even more afraid; but he comforted them and gave them amazing news. The One whom they sought, who had been dead, was now wonderfully, amazingly alive. They were to go and tell others and to prepare to meet Jesus. They received a promise, "You shall see Him." And they did. And so shall we.

 

Make no mistake, without Resurrection Day we would, of all people, be most to be pitied for our faith would be founded upon a fable and we would still be dead in sin. "But," says Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who sleep." What more is there to be said? Except, maybe, "Alleluia!"

 

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.
He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.
He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.
He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!

 

Prayer
Amen, Amen – Let it be so!!!

 

 

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