Holy Week – Easter Sunday

Total Readings: Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12, 34-43; John 20:1-29; I Corinthians 15:5

Readings Explained:
Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-19 = The Women at the Tomb
Matthew 28:9-10; John 20:14-18 = Jesus Appears to the Women

Matthew 28:11-15 = The Report of the Guard

I Corinthians 15:5; Luke 24:34 = Jesus Appears to Simon Peter

Luke 24:13-35 = Jesus Appears on the Emmaus Road

Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23 = Jesus Appears to His Disciples

I Corinthians 15:5; John 20:24-29 = Jesus Appears to Thomas

Some extra explanations:
In John 20:11-12, Mary is distressed because Jesus’ body is gone from the tomb.  She looked inside and saw two angels in dazzling white robes, sitting where Jesus’ body had been laid – one at the head and one at the feet! There is a beautiful symbolism here!   In the Old Testament description of the temple, the mercy seat (kaporet) was the solid gold lid on top of the Ark of the Covenant.  It was flanked by two cherubim, representing the place where God’s presence dwelt in the Tabernacle. It was located in the Holy of Holies, and was the place of atonement where high priests applied blood on the Day of Atonement to cover Israel’s sins. Can’t you see the symbolism?  The empty tomb has become our “mercy seat”.

Some Thoughts:
He is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Everything hinges on the resurrection! The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scriptures.  And He is coming again! The dead in Christ will be raised up, and those who are alive at His coming will be changed and receive new, glorified bodies.

Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? It proves who Jesus is. It shows that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that the bodies of those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but will be resurrected unto eternal life.  This is a basic tenet of the Christian faith.  Unlike other religions, founded by men or prophets whose ends were the grave, Christianity has a “Founder” who transcends death and promises that His followers will do the same.

I love the lyrics to “Song of the Saints” by Steven Furtick and Phil Wickham:

“This we believe that we have a Father – Creator who was and who is and will be.
Who sent us His Son, and poured out His Spirit, With power to heal, resurrect and redeem.

This we believe that we have a Savior – Jesus the Christ, for our sin crucified.
Oh yes, we believe that on the third morning, Gone was the stone, for He rose back to life!  Forever He reigns, let His praise fill the skies!

We believe in the saving gospel!  We believe in the living word!  We believe in the Holy Spirit, Moving in His Holy Church!
We believe in the King of Heaven! We believe that Jesus is coming again!
We believe in the blood that washes. We believe in the cross that saves.  We believe that the curse is broken;
It was buried in that borrowed grave. We believe in the resurrection!  We believe that Jesus is coming again!

This we believe: Our King is returning, And He will wipe every tear from our eyes. Our crowns at His feet;
His throne at the center.  The song of the saints forever will rise;  ‘Glory to God the Father! Glory to Christ, the Risen One! All hail the King, with Heaven sing: Hallelujah!  Amen.’”

 Prayer:
Jesus, I look forward to laying my crown at Your feet and hearing You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  I look forward to thanking you face to face for You great love and sacrifice to make it possible for me to walk victoriously and in freedom.  I continue to believe in You and Your resurrection power!  Amen.

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