Tuesday April 11, 2023

Today is Tuesday, April 11 and we are exploring what the Bible says about the Risen Christ.

As I begin this time of prayer, I still my body, quiet my mind and slow my breathing. I inhale the joy and peace of God’s loving presence. I exhale the worries, troubles and concerns I have carried with me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and blessed Lord, I long for you to speak into my life and circumstances. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to understand the good message you have for me today as I study your Holy Word. Amen.

In the morning I praise God with the ancient words of Psalm 36.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Psalm 36:7-9

Pause and Pray

Three days passed following the death of Jesus the Messiah. On the third day, an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled back the enormous stone which sealed the entrance to his tomb. The angel’s clothes were described to be as white as snow and his appearance was as bright as a flash of lightning. The heavenly being sat high upon the disk-like stone. A violent earthquake shook the city of Jerusalem and was felt for miles. The soldiers assigned to guard the tomb trembled with fear and collapsed to the ground. As the sun rose, three faithful women came carrying spices to peer inside Christ’s burial place.
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. Matthew 28:5-8

It is interesting to read what others have written about the empty tomb. It is inspiring to listen to what preachers have preached about the empty tomb. Today however I want to hear what God is saying to me about the empty tomb. I hear the startling voice of the bright shining angel. Whatever worry, fear or anxiety I bring with me today, the angel of God speaks it away. “Do not be afraid,” he declares. Jesus is not here. Jesus has already gone ahead of me into my future, preparing things for when I arrive. I am filled with joy and am ready to run forward into my day. Quickly, I hurry with anticipation to see Jesus. He will come and meet me in my mundane circumstances. Will I recognize him in the sacred moments of today’s ordinariness?

Ask: Where might I expect to meet Jesus in the day ahead? How can I pay attention and look for his presence?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, I seek you as a new day begins. Give me your instructions and guide the activities of each hour. Go ahead of me into each situation and every conversation and work all things together for good. Fill my heart with joy as I remember your resurrection. Encourage me to quickly tell others that you are the Risen Christ. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

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. Matthew 28:5-8

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I invite the Holy Spirit to speak afresh into my heart this morning as I read these words of encounter at the empty tomb. I long to hear the voice of Jesus leading and guiding my life. I want to meet Jesus in the ordinary circumstances and personal encounters of this upcoming day. Perhaps I have been looking for Jesus in the wrong places and God wants to send me somewhere new. Maybe I have misunderstood something Jesus said or forgotten his teaching. Perhaps I am to go to a certain place and declare his love and salvation.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, come and reveal the places in my life where misunderstanding, doubt or disbelief remain. Open the eyes of my heart and help me discover where you are already at work so I can join you there. Meet me in my circumstances so that I may worship you, Lord. Thank you for loving me. Amen.

They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. Acts 10:39b-40

I leave my fear behind and run quickly into the upcoming day, eager to see Jesus and tell others about his love and truth.

Amen