Matthew 28,
1-11 After the Sabbath at dawn on the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake,
For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning,
And his clothes were white as snow.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women,
Do not be afraid,
For I know that you are looking for Jesus,
Who was crucified.
He is not here.
He has risen,
Just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples,
He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.
There you will see him,
Now I have told you.
So the women hurried from the tomb,
Afraid yet filled with joy,
And ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them.
Greetings,
He said.
They came to him,
Clasped his feet,
And worshipped him.
Then Jesus said to them,
Do not be afraid.
Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee.
There they will see me.
I invite you to close your eyes if you haven't already,
And take a few grounding deep breaths.
Breathing in through your nose,
Perhaps release it out of your mouth.
Again,
Inhaling fully,
Exhale to release.
Just settle in stillness.
Do not be afraid,
For I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here.
He has risen,
Just as he said.
Take a moment to acknowledge the beauty of that.
The fact that Jesus died a death that we deserved for our sins.
And for that,
We now have everlasting life with the Lord our Savior.
The Holy Spirit dwells within each of us.
He has given us the greatest gift of all.
Take a moment to simply worship.
Be in his presence and acknowledge the beauty of the gift.
Lord,
We thank you.
Words cannot express our gratitude that you would give your life for a sinner like me.
We're not worthy.
Even now,
Knowing the beauty of the gift,
We continue to sin,
We continue to mess up,
And yet you still love us.
How amazing is that?
Help us to be reminded daily of what you did for us.
Help us to hold on to that as we move through the world and share our light with others.
As we share your love with others.
Share your word that we can be bold disciples.
Sharing of the wondrous acts that you did on this earth during your time.
And knowing that that same power lives within all of us through the Holy Spirit.
Today,
We just carve out time for gratitude,
Joy,
Worship,
Stillness,
And presence.
We're not deserving,
And yet you love us so much.
Thank you.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you for your life.
For your commitment.
For your yes.
Thank you for loving us so,
So much.
I think at times,
Like,
It's almost hard to find the words to express the gratitude.
But maybe we can learn to express the gratitude through the ways we live our lives.
Being one degree,
One percent better and more like you each and every day.
So as we take time to honor the resurrection and honor the beauty of your sacrifice.
Thank you.
Give us strength to walk boldly in your purpose for our lives.
And so that each day we can share the beauty of your name with others.
With confidence,
With boldness,
And with certainty and joy.
That we will dwell in your presence for the rest of our lives.
In Jesus,
In your name I pray.
Amen.
And just take a few more moments of stillness.
Just to sit in his presence.
Notice whatever he wants to speak to you here and now.
And just be.
Do not be afraid,
For I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here.
He has risen.
