March 30

Matthew 28:1-10 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

"But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.'" (Matthew 28:5-7a)

Observation

This is the story of Easter, the greatest miracle ever! There are three phrases that caught my attention from this story of resurrection today. "Fear Not ... Come and See ... and Go and Tell." These repeated phrases are really at the heart of the Easter message. 1) Fear Not (vv. 5 & 10) ... because Jesus' resurrection news is a total surprise, so unexpected and so hard for a finite mind to comprehend. But this shows how our God understands our mixed emotions. The two Marys went to check on the dead Jesus in the tomb but walked away and encountered the resurrected Jesus. This was totally unexpected. So, how did they respond? With both "fear and great joy" (v. 8). Two strongly conflicted emotions coexist just to show the frailty of human heart. 2) Come and see (v. 6) ... because we all struggle with skepticism and doubts, God extends His invitation to just come and see. The stone was not rolled away (v. 2) for Jesus to come out, but it was rolled away for people to look in and see that He was gone. The empty tomb remains as a great evidence that Jesus is God. 3) Go and Tell (vv. 7 & 10) ... because the resurrection news (the gospel) must be proclaimed. God gives the burden of proclamation to those who already encountered the risen Lord.

Application

I pause today to reflect on the message of Easter. How does my heart respond? What does this story mean to me personally? Has it become too familiar to a point that I lose my excitement over it and I take it for granted? God is so graciously inviting me today again to come close to Jesus and see what His resurrection means to me. How will my life be different because of the empty tomb? Where should I go and who should I share about this message of hope this Easter?

Prayer

Lord, I glory in the resurrection of Christ today. I thank you for this message of hope. Lord, I want to come closer to you this week and examine what Easter really means to every area of my life. Lord, thank you for bringing xx to my mind as I desire him to meet the risen Lord personally. Would you soften his heart and open his mind to come and see what Easter means to him this week? Would you grant me an opportunity to share the message of hope to him? In Jesus' name. Amen.

--Stephen Han