THE GRAVE
Read: Matthew 28

“He is not here; HE HAS RISEN!”

Some of the most powerful, world altering words ever spoken!

Today we celebrate that Jesus, the son of God, is raised to life.

The enemy has no power because sin and death have been defeated.

What once separated us from God has been eliminated.

Jesus has won and we have access to the kingdom of heaven and the most amazing relationship imaginable..

Hallelujah!

The grave is something that is intended to be permanent. It’s heavy and stable and forever closed. But the grave in today’s passage is none of those things. The stone is easily rolled away and the grave becomes a fragile backdrop to the incredible power of Jesus.

In Matthew 28, Jesus appears to a pair of Mary’s, fully alive and glorified and their response is the same as ours today - joy and worship. And then, just as he’s done throughout scripture, he invites them to be a part of his Kingdom story. He tells them to go and tell others. The book of Matthew ends with this same invitation to you and me. He tells his followers to go and make disciples of all nations.

Jesus is for everyone.

And it’s our privilege to respond the same way the disciples did; with joy, worship, and lives that take the great commission to heart by sharing his story with everyone.

As you celebrate the risen King today, remember the journey we’ve been on this week. Remember the joy of your salvation, the first time you heard those words “he has risen” and believed them to be true. Rejoice in all the ways that Jesus has saved you and changed your life. And give thanks that we end the week the same way we started, knowing that Jesus loves us and is with us always, even to the very end of the age.

Grace + Peace

Reflection Question
What is something God has taught you this year during Holy Week?
How does the resurrection of Jesus and his great commission inspire you today?

Prayer Prompt
Pray for the church today and that the message of Jesus reach and save people all over the world. Give God praise for the great gift of salvation. Pray and worship today with a heart full of joy!