DAY 3 - HE IS RISEN
Become a true disciple and see what’s possible.
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.”
OUR DEVOTIONAL
Imagine going to the tomb where you know the body of Jesus was buried. They carefully picked the right spices and mixed them to perfection. In their grief they prepared themselves to lay these upon the body of the Jesus, the One they worshiped, the One who healed them, the One who saved them. I could only imagine the thoughts that raced through their minds and the emotions that gripped their hearts as they made their way to the tomb… only to find it empty.
The tense emotion of fear, backed up with anger and confusion could have been their first reaction to what they saw—their minds racing, anxiety seizing their soul. The two men standing right there asked the strangest question. One that grips me today: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
Jesus is risen! He is alive! We have been given the greatest gift known to man: a relationship with the Living God! Why is it we still look among the things of this world to satisfy? How can we miss it when the Holy Spirit moves in our services—healing, changing people’s lives—and we are not changed? We seek what we can see, what makes sense to our intellect, and ignore the difficult things of the Word of God.
I agree; being raised from the dead challenges our intellect. It’s supposed to. As a disciple of Jesus we must believe by faith. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus and understand more the heart of the Father, we need to be okay with mysteries we do not yet understand. A life with Jesus brings us fulfillment and joys along with mysteries and pains.
There is nothing more adventurous than nurturing our relationship with the Lord. We can never stay the same, and it will never be boring. The challenges we face launch us into unimaginable victories; offenses teach us forgiveness like nothing else; and impossibilities become possibilities. As our relationship with God grows deeper, it’s like “bring[ing] forth out of [our] storehouse[s] treasure that is new and treasure that is old—the fresh as well as the familiar” (Matthew 13:52b, AMPC). There is more in store for those who dare to believe!
Let’s stop looking to what is only seen and let’s discover with Jesus what can be. He is risen indeed!
FAMILY MOMENT
Create a tomb by using a large blanket over a table and lift one side of the blanket so that the inside is exposed. Share the story of Jesus resurrection. Ask the kids how would they feel if they were expecting one thing and saw another. Talk about disappointment and possibilities. Share (age appropriate) how your relationship with Jesus has literally changed your life.
PRAYER & REFLECTION
- Am I living in a way that declares that Jesus is truly alive? Describe the evidence: In what ways? How? And, where applicable, why not?
- In what ways do I (or will I) protect my relationship with Jesus so that it is alive and thriving?
Father, I pray to know Your heart and truly live in a way that declares that Jesus is alive. Please forgive me where my heart has shifted and these stories have become too familiar and I’ve lost the spiritual sight of their power. Reignite a fire inside of me as I read Your Word and help me rekindle a relationship with Jesus that will thrive. In Jesus Name, amen!