WEEK 2 - REAWAKENING TO THE LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
This week, we will focus on various aspects of Christ’s Incarnation—from birth to death and Resurrection. We will turn our eyes to focus on the person of Jesus in all of His glory and continuously pray for deeper understanding of who He is.
DAY FOURTEEN - THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST - ESTHER SCHAEFFER
Luke 4:1-11
24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
The crowning miracle of the Incarnation was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ—predicted by Jesus, but still unexpected. The Resurrection cements the authenticity of all of Jesus’ other claims. He is Lord!
Oh, how we love these women who went to the tomb early that morning. We know that sorrow and disappointment bring fatigue. Yet, despite the heartbreaking hours at the foot of the cross, following the procession to the tomb, and investing their resources to gather the spices, they somehow still managed to get out the door before sunrise. This demonstrates their faithful love for Jesus.
Disappointment and sorrow can also send us searching for answers in all the wrong places. The angels’ question is one for us: “Why are you looking to dead things to solve your prob- lems or ease your pain or bring meaning to your life?”
And, finally, we all know that disappointment and sorrow often cause us to forget. The angels didn’t tell the women anything new; they simply reminded them of what Jesus had already said. Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life!
PRAYER POINTS:
1. To the disciples, the women’s story sounded like nonsense. Pray Mark 9:24: “Help me overcome my unbelief” for children, family members, and for the people where your missionaries serve, that they would investigate the risen Christ for themselves.
2. Pray for those who are experiencing sorrow and disappointment, that they would stay faithful to and focused on the Lord Jesus and remember His wonderful words of life.
3. Praise the Lord that because of Jesus, the stone has been rolled away in our own lives. We now live anew in the Resurrection power of Christ. What a powerful name it is, the name of Jesus!