Was it a morning like this
When the Son still hid from Jerusalem?
And Mary rose from her bed
To tend the Lord she thought was dead

Was it a morning like this
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem?
And two angels stood at the tomb
Bearers of news she would hear soon

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice to feel You again?

Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound “He is risen!”
Over and over in a never-ending round
“He is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

Matthew 28, The Message

Risen from the Dead

^1-4 After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.

^5-6 The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.

⁷ “Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.”

^8-10 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”

^11-15 Meanwhile, the guards had scattered, but a few of them went into the city and told the high priests everything that had happened. They called a meeting of the religious leaders and came up with a plan: They took a large sum of money and gave it to the soldiers, bribing them to say, “His disciples came in the night and stole the body while we were sleeping.” They assured them, “If the governor hears about your sleeping on duty, we will make sure you don’t get blamed.” The soldiers took the bribe and did as they were told. That story, cooked up in the Jewish High Council, is still going around.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

It didn’t matter about the lies and subsequent plots of deception by the religious leaders—Truth reigns forevermore!  Jesus has risen indeed!  No plan of mankind can surpass The Plan of God!

The mournful women who stayed by Him through His pain of torture and watched his burial came to care for the Body on that THIRD DAY.  It was these women, full of love for their Teacher, who were given the first look at the empty tomb.  What a honored blessing!  “Come and look—He is not here!” said the angel.  Jesus is no longer dead.  There is nothing to be done to care for a dead body that was beaten and nailed to a cross.  He is alive and well!

THEN, these women, “deep in wonder, full of joy,” were given the awesome opportunity to be the first to go and tell the Good News!  As a bonus, Jesus, risen from death, stops their running to greet and encourage them on the road of their obedience!  Pause and camp on that thought for a moment…while I get a tissue for my own tears! 

How many times as Jesus stopped us in the middle of our work and mission to go and tell others about Him so He can encourage us on the way?  For me, it is often.  Sometimes I run before I think so when I tire in the running, Jesus stops to clarify what it is HE wants me to say and do.

They obeyed before they saw Jesus!  Imagine the excitement of getting this miraculous news of resurrection power from God’s angel!  But then, the News was followed up by seeing Jesus fully alive in the flesh, scarred but well, calling out to them to greet them! 

Worship was their very first thought because of the love that engulfed their hearts, minds, and souls.  Don’t you love that? This love prompted their quick obedience to go and tell but first they must fall at His feet in humbled worship!  God first—always!

Yes, Jesus greets his beloved, His first evangelists with, “Don’t be afraid”. “Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”  His words clarify their message with loving words of encouragement.  Jesus still does that…

Friends, Jesus gives us similar words of encouragement on our roads of obedience to Him, too.  He invites us to come and see, look up and notice, God is at work and we are invited to join Him as we are assigned to go and tell the Good News—Jesus is alive!  Look for Him at work in all His glory today!  He promises that when we look, we will see.  Seek and you shall find…

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!  Jesus was at the beginning of Creation with God!  Jesus was sent from God to save us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16) We will rise with Jesus one day in that same resurrection power!  We who believe will live forever with Him!  THIS is the message.  This is our Hope—all because He lives!

Thank you, Jesus!  May we do all in Your Name, For Your Glory, Amen!  Yes!

Was it a morning like this
When Peter and John ran from Jerusalem?
And as they raced toward the tomb
Beneath their feet was there a tune?

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice to feel You again?

Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound “He is risen!”
Over and over in a never-ending round
“He is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound “He is risen!”
Over and over in a never-ending round
“He is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

When my Lord looked out on Jerusalem?
He is risen!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

(Songwriter: Jim Croegaert)