Easter Sunday Devotion
Matthew 28:1-10
April 9, 2023
“He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!”
There are four different Gospels in the Bible. Each one has a different writer. Their names were Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each of them aimed their Gospel message at varying groups of people.
Each Gospel is decidedly different in content and tone. For example, the Gospel of Luke has 18 parables not contained in the other three. But, there is one thing that is consistent throughout all four Gospels. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, lived amongst us for about 33 years. He taught, healed, and admonished people.
The most incredible consistency in the four Gospels is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. And three days later, on what has become known as Easter Sunday, He overcame death.
It’s true; the whole story is true. He is Risen. He is Risen, indeed.
Let’s take a few minutes to look once again at Matthew’s version of Jesus’ Resurrection.
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
(Mark 16 names three Marys. Mary Magdalene, Mary of Clopas, and Mary Salome)
went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So, the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said.
They came to him, clasped his feet, and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there, they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10
Two women, Mary Magdalene and another Mary, go to the tomb on Sunday morning to anoint Jesus’ body. But, of course, they hadn’t figured out how they would get into the tomb. But, when they arrived, that was no longer an issue. The stone in front of the tomb had been moved.
They encounter a man dressed in clothes that are white as snow. The man (angel) tells the women that Jesus is not there. Instead, he states that Jesus has risen from the grave. Then he says:
“Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
One can only imagine the thoughts and feelings going through their heads as they left the tomb. The words fear, joy, and amazement come to mind.
But their morning of shocking encounters isn’t quite over yet. Just a few moments later, they see the Risen Lord.
“Suddenly, Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there, they will see me.”
There’s even more to the story. Why not take some time today and read the Resurrection account from all four Gospels. It will only take about 20 minutes; I assure you, you will not be disappointed. Actually, I believe you’ll be amazed.
We no longer need to fear death because Jesus overcame it through His death on the cross and His Resurrection from the grave. And it’s also true, as Jesus said in His final words of Matthew’s Gospel,
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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