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reflections on Easter Sunday

 


Easter is one of the most incredible holidays that Christians celebrate.  So many emotions, so many stories, so many blessings come with our celebrations, the worship and even time with families.  Easter is so good.


But what makes it stand out is something that is empty.  That’s right.  It is the tomb.  Where Jesus was placed after He died on the cross.  The resurrection shown by the empty tomb is what seals our eternal promise as well as our daily hope.


Let’s ask the questions that others were asked.


Luke 24:1-8  NLT  

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.


Why do you look for the living among the dead?


We do that.  But we shouldn’t.  It is true of humanity that we seek too often what is temporary rather than will last.  That is why life is the focus, not death.  That is why the deceiver seeks to deceive but the Savior seek to save.  Who will we seek?


May we celebrate Jesus.  He is alive.  Or, He is risen!


The following is from the writing of Henri Nouwen in his devotion “Reflections on Easter Sunday” (go to https://henrinouwen.org/ for more)


Easter season is a time of hope.  There still is fear, there still is a painful awareness of sinfulness, but there is also light breaking through.  Something new is happening, something that goes beyond the changing moods of our life.  We can be joyful or sad, optimistic or pessimistic, tranquil or angry, but the solid stream of God’s presence moves deeper than the small waves of our minds and hearts.  Easter brings the awareness that God is present even when his presence is not directly noticed.  Easter brings the good news that, although things seem to get worse in the world, the Evil One has already been overcome.  Easter allows us to affirm that although God seems very distant and although we remain preoccupied with many little things, our Lord walks with us on the road and keeps explaining the Scriptures to us.  Thus there are many rays of hope casting their light on our way through life. 


PRAYER


Almighty, everlasting God,

on this day you conquered death 

and opened for us the path to eternal life.

And so we celebrate in joy the feast of his resurrection.

Make us new through your Spirit,

so that we too may rise and walk in the light of life.

We ask this through Jesus Christ. 


Thank you for continuing to read and share these e-devotions.  May God help us focus on and walk with Jesus each day!

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