Christ Is Risen!
Scripture Reading — Matthew 28:1-10
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.”
On the first Easter Sunday morning, two women were in for the surprise of their lives. Instead of finding a closed tomb, they found an open grave, and an angel greeting them with the words "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." For them and for every follower of the Lord Jesus, life would never be the same. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead changed the course of history.
The resurrection is God's way of announcing that our life does not have to be a one-way journey to the cemetery. God is saying we don't have to be stuck in our past. The risen Savior has hit the delete button on our sins. We don't have to wonder who's in charge, because this Savior has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. And we don't have to wonder what's ahead, because nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).
So let's celebrate today! If your church sings this song, sing it out: "Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!" And if you are not able to attend church, take some time to praise God that Jesus is alive. With Christians around the world we can say, "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!"
Risen Savior, on this day we worship you and thank you for your power over death. Help us to experience in our lives your resurrection power. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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