Then He Rose Again
April 9, 2023 - Easter Resurrection Sunday
Matthew 28:1-10 | Psalm 118:19-24
This is it. The highest holy day of the year: Christ, who was killed, has been raised again. Resurrection.
The story in scripture is perhaps all too familiar. The hope is to replicate such resurgence in the human experience.
Creation seems to experience life after death all the time in the cycle of seasons, the day-night continuum, and the recycling nature of dirt, rain, and air. What is death one moment becomes essential food for new life the next.
Humanity is pretty good at instilling death. And then we’re even better at dwelling upon its existence. And if Good Friday tells us anything, it is that death indeed is a reality. But may we seek to refocus through the first Resurrection Sunday, now a daily opportunity and responsibility for those who want to follow the crucified-resurrected Christ.
He is risen!
Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone, he rolled it away and sat on it. Now his face was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. The guards were so terrified of him that they shook with fear and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I’ve given the message to you.”
With great fear and excitement, they hurried away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. But Jesus met them and greeted them. They came and grabbed his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.”
Psalm 118:19-24
Open the gates of righteousness for me
so I can come in and give thanks to the Lord!
This is the Lord’s gate;
those who are righteous enter through it.
I thank you because you answered me,
because you were my saving help.
The stone rejected by the builders
is now the main foundation stone!
This has happened because of the Lord;
it is astounding in our sight!
This is the day the Lord acted;
we will rejoice and celebrate in it!
Prayer
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Receive our unending love and devotion as we celebrate today the undeserved gift of your love. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.