Easter Sunday
Jesus is Alive
Early on Sunday morning Mary Magdalene and Mary went to visit the tomb.
Suddenly they felt an earthquake and saw an angel of God come from heaven. The angel rolled away the stone covering the tomb, sat on it and spoke to women. “Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus. But he has risen from the dead, like he said he would. Come and see where his body was. Remember what I have told you and go and tell Jesus’ followers.”
The women ran away to find Jesus’ followers, scared but also filled with joy and excitement. Jesus appeared in front of them. They rushed to him. He told them “Do not be afraid. Go and tell the others.”
Based on Matthew 28:1-10
Read.
On Easter Sunday we again experience joy. The women who went to tend Jesus’ body find not only an angel and an empty tomb, but that Jesus is alive. All the emotions and experiences over the last week have been eclipsed by this moment.
We also hear that even with their joy, they experience fear. All that is happening is new and unexpected. Both the angel’s and Jesus’ first words to the women are “Do not be afraid”. This sounds familiar as it is also what the angels said to the shepherds when Jesus was born.
When God moves and acts in the world, it is often in new and unexpected ways. We sometimes interpret these movements in the world differently. Many of us have a different understanding of the significance or meaning of Easter. Holy Week is a reminder that God is bringing new and unexpected things and ways of living into the world. While this may seem scary at first, we can remember the words spoken to the women at the tomb “Do not be afraid.”
Think About.
Easter means so much to so many different people. Depending on our beliefs we interpret Easter differently.
The art piece for Easter Sunday is abstract. Take a moment to look at it. Think about what you see in the image, think about what it says to you about Easter Sunday. You might see the sun rising, or breaking open an empty tomb, or a flower as a symbol of new life.
Consider what Easter Sunday means to you and what it shows you about God.
Prayer.
God, help us to be open to see you in new and unexpected ways moving through us and through the world. May we remember you are always with us and that you say “Do not to be afraid”. Thank you for all you show and share with us through the season of Easter. Amen.
Take time to explore the other days in Holy Week
Palm Sunday Holy Monday Holy Tuesday Holy Wednesday
Maundy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday Easter Sunday
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