Jesus Has Risen
Matthew 28:1-10
​
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then 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.”
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Imagine what it must have been like for Mary Magdalene and the other Mary on that day when they went to visit Christ's tomb and found it empty with an angel sitting in it telling them the joyful news that he has risen just as he said he would! Afraid and filled with joy at the news he is risen! Even better when they met Jesus on their way to tell the other disciples. How joyful that must have been to see their Lord and saviour whom they thought was dead had been brought back to life!
​
2000 years later and how joyful it still is for us when we remember on Good Friday the price paid for the forgiveness of our sins and on Easter Sunday that just as Christ has risen from the dead having cleansed us from our sins when we confess with words that Christ died for us and rose again and believe in our hearts the truth in this.
​
What joy lies ahead for those who believe and confess as Christians that when our time on this worldly planet comes to an end whenever that will be, that we will not die but know life everlasting and even better spend eternity in the presence of God the Father and Christ the son!
​
Heavenly Father and loving God, thank you for giving your only son to live among us, suffer, die and rise again from the dead that we when we trust in him and then you and confess and repent of our sins that we are forgiven and will know life everlasting in your very presence and worship you face to face. Whereas now we live through faith by your grace, then we will see you and our saviour Christ Jesus before our very eyes and serve before you, run and not grow weary, live with out sin, sickness or death. As we celebrate Easter, what joy lies ahead when we all meet again! In Jesus name we pray and thank you. Amen