April 28

Judges 8:18-9:21; Luke 23:44-24:12; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 14:9-10

I’ve been behind in my One Year Bible. Have you been keeping up? It’s hard, isn’t it, to read it every day? And if you’re like me, and you let a few days go by, all of a sudden it’s a big job to get back on track! But I’m finally there. There is a tendency when I’m behind to rush through the readings, just to get caught up. I had to fight that, especially today.  In our New Testament reading, we’re reading this account for the third time already this year, so it’s especially tempting to just blaze right through.

But then we miss powerful words like these: “And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Lk. 24:2-3). In just a few words, Luke announces the resurrection of Jesus. Did you catch that as you read today? Or were you in a hurry, like me, and almost missed what is being announced in those simple, few words – Jesus is alive! Jesus rose from the grave!! Death could not hold him!!! Hallelujah!

This is mind-blowing, not just for us but also for those women who first discovered it. Luke says they were “perplexed” (vs. 4). I’ll say! Even though Jesus tried to prepare them that he would suffer, be crucified and then rise on the third day, it clearly didn’t sink in with them. And I’m sure it wouldn’t have with me either. Nothing had every been seen or heard like that before (or since!), where someone predicted his own death and resurrection and it happened. So these women are confused and scared and, as they rush back to tell the Eleven what has happened, they are also mystified. Peter goes himself to look and he comes home “marveling” (vs. 12).

Do we still marvel at the resurrection of Jesus? This past Easter season, were you struck afresh by what Jesus did for you on the cross? Did you stand back in awe of the price he paid so you could be free? Did you wonder at the sorrow and beauty of the cross? If you didn’t have time to properly dwell in the truth and victory and power of the resurrection, do it today. Do it now. Stop reading this and meet with Jesus (and then come back later and finish it up). Jesus went to the cross to save us from our sins and to give us life, both now and eternally. And not some kind of half-life that we buckle down and just get through – life abundant, full of his grace and mercy and joy. A life where we rejoice in his resurrection daily, gratefully embracing the freedom he won for us.

“They went to tomb and it was empty” – praise Jesus!

- Esther McCurry

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