April 30th, 2017
Devotional
“The Seven Next Words of Christ: Greetings… Do Not Be Afraid” - Matthew 28: 1-10
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Monday: “Went to See” - Matthew 28:1
Today’s lesson is a familiar one. We read a version of it each and every Easter Sunday - the angel appearing to the women at the tomb. The women come to the tomb to keep vigil, to grieve. The one whom they dearly love has died. They go to the tomb to tend to the dead.
The women felt compelled to go and see. To see if what happened was as true today as it was on Friday. They went to do what was expected of them, and yet God showed up in an unexpected way.
We too have God meet us in unexpected ways as we are journeying through life. We may just be seeing the work of Christ right in front of us, but sometimes we miss it. Sometimes we don’t really look with our eyes and our hearts. Sometimes we are so caught up in reaching the expected that miss the beauty of the unexpected.
When you meet Jesus in your daily walk how do you respond?
How can you train your eyes and heart to perceive the unexpected?
Prayer: Loving God, we like the Marys of long ago want to go and see. We want to see what you are up to God, but often our eyes are so untrained that we look right past you. Forgive us, O Lord. Open up our hearts so we can respond to you in our daily lives. Amen.
Tuesday: “Do Not be Afraid” - Matthew 28:5
Then something unexpected happens. The earth begins to shake and the rock sealing the tomb shut is rolled away. I love what the angel says in this passage “Do not be afraid” or in the Message Translation “There is nothing here to fear.” Any time an angel says that there is of course something to fear. The women have encountered the glory of God. They are standing on holy ground.
The earth beneath us may not shake, but we can still be standing on holy ground. Each day we have the opportunity to respond to God’s grace and share the message of God’s glory. But if we are honest with ourselves, that scares us at times. We, too, need to hear the message of “Do not be afraid” when we encounter the glory of God.
When have you been frightened but also excited?
How do you respond when you encounter the glory of God?
Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes we do not hear your words to not be afraid. We confess that sometimes we let fear overwhelm us the point where we cannot move, we cannot respond to your love. Meet us in our time of need and whisper gently to us what we need to hear, O Holy One. Help us to find rest in you even in the midst of our fears. Amen.
Wednesday: “He is Not Here” - Matthew 28:6
The one whom they came to tend to, the one whom they came to grieve isn’t there. There is no body to prepare. For he was raised. The women are invited to come and see where his body lay - past tense. He is no longer there.
How would you respond if you went to grieve your teacher and friend, but instead were greeted by an angel telling you that he was no longer there? Sometimes we miss the spectacular nature of the Easter message, because it has become common place to us, because we have heard it so many times. But it was not common for Mary and Mary - it changed their entire lives hearing those words “he is not here.”
When we begin to open our ears we may hear those same words - Jesus may not be the places that we expect him to be, but he may just be in the places he is calling us to go. Let us listen anew and respond.
Where do we find Jesus in the world today? Is it always where we expect him to be?
How would you respond if you heard the words “he is not here” so long ago?
Prayer: Lord, your body was not in the tomb. You once lay there, but now, and forever more, you are risen! Praise be to you, O Christ! Let us rejoice with the women of the gospel story! Let us follow where you lead! Amen! Amen! Amen!
Thursday: “Why are You Weeping” - Matthew 28: 7-9
Not only is he alive, but they actually see him, in the flesh as he greets them. And when they saw this all they could do is worship him. The women worshipped him simply because he was risen. Simply because they loved him.
We too are called to worship him here in this place, on this day, and each and every day of our lives. Because we know that through his death and life, we have life eternal. We know that we have victory over the grave.
How do you worship Christ every day?
How is Christ using you to proclaim his Gospel message?
Prayer: Lord, you invite us to be part of your good news, sharing it with those we meet! Help us to worship you as we go about your work, every single day, giving you all the honor and glory that you are due. Amen.
Friday: “Do Not Be Afraid…Again” - Matthew 28: 10
The women were again told to not be afraid, this time not by an angel, but by Jesus himself. They had come to the tomb to grieve and now that their world had been forever changed, they were being sent out to proclaim the Good News.
Maybe you feel like you need to grieve this day. Grieve a life that hasn’t gone as you have expected. Or the death of a loved one. Know that whatever we face in the present, we have a hope to come. No matter where we find ourselves this day, we are called to worship a risen savior. Hear the Good news. He is not here, he has been risen! And so shall it be with us.
How can you worship and proclaim Christ even in the midst of grief and the unknown?
How has the story of Easter changed your life?
Prayer: God, use us in a mighty way, precious Lord. Let nothing block us from being your living servants and proclaiming the good news that you are risen and that you have conquered the grave! Amen!
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Seven Next Words of Christ: Greetings… What are you so Concerned About?” - Luke 24: 13-34
Family Activity: What scares you? Is it something in school? An animal? Something you don’t understand? How can God walk with you, even when you are afraid? Pray to God about the things you are afraid of and ask God to be with you, every single day.
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