If Saturday was a day of sorrow, Sunday is surely a day of celebration! Although, it truly began in fear and confusion, Jesus’ followers soon knew that Jesus had kept His Word. He was crucified, buried in a tomb, and rose again three days later!

While everyone else was honoring the Sabbath, the priests and Pharisees asked for Pilate to place guards around the tomb and to make sure the stone was sealed. They were worried that Jesus’ disciples would steal His body and claim He had risen.

Early Sunday morning, the women went to visit the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with the spices they had prepared before the Sabbath. When they arrived there was a great earthquake, the stone was rolled away, the guards shook with such fear they fainted, and an angel of the Lord appeared. He told the women not to be afraid. “You are looking for Jesus, but He is not here, He is risen! Go quickly and tell His disciples.” The women were frightened but also filled with joy! Jesus was alive! Quickly they went to find the others and tell them the great news. On the way Jesus met them. They fell to His feet and worshiped Him. Later that night, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish Leaders, suddenly Jesus was in the midst of them. He gave them power to forgive sins. Over the next 40 days Jesus appeared many times to many different groups. At Galilee, Jesus appeared to the remaining eleven disciples and gave them the Great Commission, to make sure His Good News was spread all over the world. Then He was taken up into Heaven and seated at the right Hand of God.

I can only imagine the wonder and amazement they must have felt. I feel it today as I think about the events that took place so long ago. The fact that Jesus faced that horrible week because He was thinking of sinners and wanted to provide a way for them to be right with God. He knew that we would never be able to do it without Him. If He didn’t intervene, then we would all die the death we deserved, and suffer the eternity we deserved. But Love, Love has a Name. And that name is Jesus.

Scriptures for today:
Matthew 28
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 20-21

Today spend time in thought about what Jesus’ sacrifice means to you personally. Spend time in prayer with Him today. Give thanks for His sacrifice. Sing praises to His Name.