Easter Sunday
He is risen. – Matthew 28:6.
When it began to dawn on Easter Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, and Joanna, and a small company of other women that came with Jesus from Galilee, went toward the sepulcher of Jesus, bearing spices to anoint His holy body (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1-2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). At the same time, there was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came to the sepulcher, and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow, and, for fear of him, the men who were guarding the tomb did shake and became as dead men (Matthew 28:2-4). Before they had arrived at the tomb, the women said among themselves: “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?” (Mark 16:3). And when they looked toward the sepulcher, they saw that the stone was rolled away.
When Mary Magdalene saw the open sepulcher, she straightway ran back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples of it. The other women went onward to the tomb. They did not find the body of the Lord (Mark 16:4; Luke 24:2-3; John 20:1-2). But two angels appeared to them in the form of men wearing shining garments. And they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth. But the angel said to them: “Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples and Peter that He is risen from the dead. And, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:4-7). And the women departed quickly from the grave with fear and great joy. They fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man there: for they were afraid (Matthew 28:8; Mark 16:8).
This was the first news of Jesus’ resurrection. “He is risen!” These are the glad tidings for which cause we greatly rejoice today!
PRAYER. – Almighty God, who, by the death of Thine only-begotten Son, hast abolished sin and death, and, through His resurrection, hast given me the assurance of my forgiveness and future resurrection unto life eternal: Grant that I may continue to believe this with all my heart, and that, remaining steadfast in such faith, I may continue to glorify and thank Thee always, more and more, through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands, for our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands and brings us life from heaven;
Therefore let us joyful be and sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of hallelujah. Hallelujah!
Hymn 195, 1 [TLH]
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