Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  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...

The most important day for those who follow Jesus.  It isn’t just a holiday or holy day.  Then it was, the Passover.  Now it is not. It is Easter.  We stop to remember.  We stop to look inside.  We stop to see Jesus, once again. It is an invitation to life, to a celebration of new life.  It is a door to real life.  We encounter the one sent from God as we focus on Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s plan for all humanity.   Holy Week. Full of meaning.  It all happened because of God’s mission.  His love illustrates in a vivid picture of why this is Holy Week. Friday - It was Good Friday, although anything but God.  Or was it. Jesus was betrayed; arrested and tried by authorities —first Jewish religious leaders, then Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Sentenced to death, crucified and buried in a nearby tomb. Saturday - It was "Holy Saturday" or "Silent Saturday" or one called it “State of Shock” Saturday … losing a loved one suddenly....

  Here we are.  Easter.  Friday is the day of the culmination of the efforts of people who wanted to remove Jesus from their lives.  But not just that.  This is the highest spot of the purpose Jesus was given to come to earth. He is the Christ.  He is the sacrifice.  Without the cross there would not be a resurrection.  Without the death, and life before death, there would not be life after death.  You get that. 1 Corinthians 1:18  NASB For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. The cross is the place where we fall apart.  It is where everyone falls apart because it was harsh and cruel.  The beatings leading up to the cross would leave the one sent to death almost at the point of death but not quite. Jesus’ life was freely given.  Who killed Jesus?  That is the wrong question because Jesus actually gave His life for us.  He willingly ...

Easter.   An empty tomb. Promises.   Some people thrive on broken promises and lives lived without meaning.    That is not so with our faith and with our Savior.   He fulfilled every one of the promises, the old ones and the new ones. He lives more than three decades pressing the entire time in the same direction.   Words of life sharing love and hope in every direction possible.   Giving opportunity where there seemed to be dead ends.   Miracle after miracle at times where most left broken hearted and empty.   Not so with Jesus. Empty.   His grave was empty just days after He was taken there.   Promises fulfilled and not empty.   But that is hard to remember when your emotions have been all over the places the last few days. Luke 24:1-8   NLT But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2  They found that the stone had been rolled away from th...