The Final Week of Jesus' Life: An 8-Day Holy Week Devotional SeriesSampel

Sunday! The Empty Tomb —The Joy of the Resurrection!

What. A. Day. Jesus had risen from the dead, fulfilling his own prophetic words!

It must have seemed too good to be true. At first, the disciples and other followers disbelieved—until they saw with their own eyes the risen Christ. The Gospel writers tell readers that the words and teaching Jesus spoke during his earthly ministry began to slowly make sense to the disciples.

For the next forty days, Jesus would appear to many of his followers, teaching them, and preparing them for the next event—the coming of his Holy Spirit. His kingdom was coming on earth, but not in the way most expected. Paul summarizes Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances prior to his ascension in this passage of scripture included in today’s reading.

Dr. N.T. Wright has written, “The cross is not a defeat, but a victory. It is the dramatic reassertion of the fact that God’s love is sovereign, that the rulers of the world do not have the last word, that the Kingdom of God has defeated the kingdom of Satan, that the kingdoms of the world have now become, in principle, the kingdom of our God and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!” Hallelujah! He is risen, indeed!

Prayer for Today: Lord, my heart is so full of joy and praise today! Your resurrection from the dead means eternal life for those who believe. Truly your victory over death is mine—and ours—as well, as believers look toward our own death and eventual resurrection. We sing these beautiful lyrics in praise to you:

“Christ the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

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This eight-day plan was written by Susie Hawkins and is brought to you by Aspire Productions (www.aspire2.com ).