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Jesus’ Resurrection

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. . . . The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then 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.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. (Matthew 28:1, 5–9)

After Jesus’ death, his followers were shocked and scared. Grief and fear turned the disciples’ lives upside down. Many were terrified; they gathered secretly behind locked doors, fearing they would be executed next. Many were disappointed, saying, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). Some even returned to their old way of life, as if Jesus’ life and ministry had never happened. They were grieving and trying to make sense of all that had happened.

On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. He sought out his grieving and disillusioned followers to encourage and comfort them. He shared his peace with them and told them not to fear. Again he patiently showed them how Scripture explained his death and resurrection. This time they were able to listen to him. He sent them to make disciples, to proclaim the good news that death and sin had been defeated in him, and to obey his commands.

Death has no power over God. When Jesus rose from the dead, he revealed the victory he had won over death. God and Satan are not equal. Good and evil are not equal. Jesus was not crucified because people were more powerful than he was, but because he chose to die to be a sacrifice for us. Even when death looked to be winning, God’s plan for salvation was still ahead. The nightmare had ended. Jesus is alive! He was right all along.

Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:54–55)

Reflect on these questions after reading John 20.

• According to John 20:19–20, how did the disciples feel before they saw the resurrected Jesus? How did they feel after they saw Jesus?
• How do Jesus’ words in John 20:29 encourage you?
• Why is Jesus’ resurrection important? What did Jesus accomplish by rising from the dead?
• If you believe Jesus died and rose again, how should that impact your life? How should it impact your decisions and actions?

Pray

Today’s prayer comes from 1 Corinthians 15:55–57.

Dear Jesus, you are my victorious Lord! You won the victory over sin and took away the sting of death. Thank you for becoming human, dying, and rising again to forgive my sins and give me true life. Thank you for understanding and identifying with me. Teach me to grow in your love, peace, and joy. In Jesus' name, amen.