The First Sunday of Easter -- April 20
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Meditation
Easter Sunday celebrates what is unique about Christianity. No other faith or religion had its God live on earth, die and rise again. It is resurrection that distinguishes us. Our God became human, sacrificed himself and endured the worst kind of treatment, was dead and buried.
But Christ’s followers had misunderstood every step of the way. Judas had expected a king on an earthly throne, wielding power. The other disciples followed, trusting that Jesus knew what was best, even though they were bewildered by the events.
The Old Testament lesson in Jeremiah prophesied there would come a time when Israel would be reunited—all the tribes together again, and God would be the Lord of them all. Time for celebration. Like the Psalmist said, “Let us rejoice and be glad.” Especially, since the Psalmist foretold that the ‘stone’ rejected by the builders would become the ‘cornerstone.’
I love old architecture. A cornerstone was the first stone the builders laid as a reference and then they measured all other alignments from that stone. It was the most perfect stone. Cornerstones are sometimes carved and celebrate the owner or designer. Christ was rejected by many of the Jewish leaders—just as builders would reject a stone; and then Jesus became the source and reference point for everything in our faith. Hence we are called ‘Christians’ for our source is Christ.
The New Testament epistle celebrates our being new creations in Christ. But the Gospel lessons in Matthew and John bring the celebration to the encounter and surprise level. After the shock of Jesus’ death on Friday, followed by the Sabbath worship on Saturday, the women rose early Sunday morning to take spices and dress the body of Christ.
Mary Magdalene—a woman, whose life had been transformed from ownership and prostitution to freedom in Christ—along with the other Mary (the one who washed Jesus feet with her hair and expensive perfume) and went to the tomb with spices.
The two versions show different things—Matthew started with an earthquake and showed the encounter with the angel, which so terrified the guards, that they were frozen like they were dead—a deer in the headlight moment—and the angel spoke to them saying the traditional speech of an angel, “Don’t be afraid.” Obviously, seeing a great warrior, shining like the brightness of lightning, maybe even being charged with electricity when he moved stunned the women, too. Of course, they would have been terrified. Maybe frozen or maybe shaking. The angel’s first words. “Don’t be afraid.” And then he explained that Jesus wasn’t there and they were to go tell the others.
The women run to the disciples and relay the information, and the men must see for themselves. John outran Peter but stopped at the entrance to the tomb. Peter charged straight in and saw the strips of cloth to wrap bodies for burial. John followed but they both still didn’t get it, so they retreat to their homes.
Mary remained, bewildered and devastated. She came with a mission. The disciples didn’t understand resurrection. Neither did Mary. But her love was so intense, the sorrow so magnified that she lingered, hoping to make sense.
That was when the first encounter with the risen Lord happened. Jesus saved the most important revelation—that he was alive, risen from the dead—to impart to a woman. A woman, whose love for Jesus was palpable, unquestionable. Jesus, like us all, responded to intense love.
She was crying and the two angels at the tomb asked her “Why?” She said the obvious and logical—“They have taken my Lord and I don’t know where to find him.”
Then she turned and saw Jesus. He was not immediately recognizable by his appearance—maybe because of his glorified body, or maybe something as simple as attire. He asked why she was crying and who she was looking for.
She thought he was the gardener, “If you have taken him, let me know where to go.”
Jesus spoke one word. Her name. “Mary” – the sound of his voice, the manner in which he spoke her name transformed her understanding. She called him ‘Rabboni’ (Teacher).
His next words made me laugh: “Do not hold onto me.”
She must have lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him so tightly that he could hardly breathe. She couldn’t let go. The miracle was too great.
Jesus doesn’t suggest he follow her back to the house. No, he tells her to go and tell. Jesus made Mary Magdalene the first Apostle –one who was sent—to tell the other disciples. She obeyed, telling them, “I have seen the Lord.”
That was the truth of the resurrection. Eyewitness accounts. I have seen the Lord. We trust the stories because we can identify with their shock and excitement. With their not ‘getting’ it and then discovering the miracle of a risen Lord. We share their experiences vicariously, and our faith is deepened.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 31:9-16;Lamentations 3:55-66;Mark 10:32-34&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NIV;NCV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts 10:34-43;Jeremiah 31:1-6;Matthew 28:1-10;John 20:1-18&version=KJV;GNT;NCV;NIV;ERV (multiple versions)
Easter Sunday
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2 Psalm 118:14-24
Colossians 3:1-4
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 28:1-10
John 20:1-18
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 118:24 King James Version (KJV)
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
John 20:1-18
King James Version (KJV)
20 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, Forgive us for causing you so much pain. Thank you for saving us from our sin. Help us to fulfill our mission to go an tell...to make disciples. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
The First Sunday of the Season of Easter was a non-stop celebration, and a retelling of the ‘good stories’ of Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples were confused, not sure what had been going on. They were bereft of their leader and had gathered in their homes to grieve.
The women went to treat the body with the spices they couldn’t use before they buried Jesus. Mary risked a two day old deteriorating body to bring the spices to anoint the body for a proper burial, even though we know that Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus had done a good job on Friday.
Mary experienced the first encounter with Jesus. He revealed himself to her first. She reacted out of love and grasped him so hard that he had to say, ‘Don’t hold onto me. He gave her a mission. Go and tell the others. She obeyed, bringing the best news ever. “He is risen. He is alive. I have seen him.” She was a first-hand witness.
Each of us must encounter Jesus individually, too. Our relationship alters the more we love him. He meets us where we are and we are given a mission. Every one of us. “Go and tell.”
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Easter Sunday celebrates what is unique about Christianity. No other faith or religion had its God live on earth, die and rise again. It is resurrection that distinguishes us. Our God became human, sacrificed himself and endured the worst kind of treatment, was dead and buried.
But Christ’s followers had misunderstood every step of the way. Judas had expected a king on an earthly throne, wielding power. The other disciples followed, trusting that Jesus knew what was best, even though they were bewildered by the events.
The Old Testament lesson in Jeremiah prophesied there would come a time when Israel would be reunited—all the tribes together again, and God would be the Lord of them all. Time for celebration. Like the Psalmist said, “Let us rejoice and be glad.” Especially, since the Psalmist foretold that the ‘stone’ rejected by the builders would become the ‘cornerstone.’
I love old architecture. A cornerstone was the first stone the builders laid as a reference and then they measured all other alignments from that stone. It was the most perfect stone. Cornerstones are sometimes carved and celebrate the owner or designer. Christ was rejected by many of the Jewish leaders—just as builders would reject a stone; and then Jesus became the source and reference point for everything in our faith. Hence we are called ‘Christians’ for our source is Christ.
The New Testament epistle celebrates our being new creations in Christ. But the Gospel lessons in Matthew and John bring the celebration to the encounter and surprise level. After the shock of Jesus’ death on Friday, followed by the Sabbath worship on Saturday, the women rose early Sunday morning to take spices and dress the body of Christ.
Mary Magdalene—a woman, whose life had been transformed from ownership and prostitution to freedom in Christ—along with the other Mary (the one who washed Jesus feet with her hair and expensive perfume) and went to the tomb with spices.
The two versions show different things—Matthew started with an earthquake and showed the encounter with the angel, which so terrified the guards, that they were frozen like they were dead—a deer in the headlight moment—and the angel spoke to them saying the traditional speech of an angel, “Don’t be afraid.” Obviously, seeing a great warrior, shining like the brightness of lightning, maybe even being charged with electricity when he moved stunned the women, too. Of course, they would have been terrified. Maybe frozen or maybe shaking. The angel’s first words. “Don’t be afraid.” And then he explained that Jesus wasn’t there and they were to go tell the others.
The women run to the disciples and relay the information, and the men must see for themselves. John outran Peter but stopped at the entrance to the tomb. Peter charged straight in and saw the strips of cloth to wrap bodies for burial. John followed but they both still didn’t get it, so they retreat to their homes.
Mary remained, bewildered and devastated. She came with a mission. The disciples didn’t understand resurrection. Neither did Mary. But her love was so intense, the sorrow so magnified that she lingered, hoping to make sense.
That was when the first encounter with the risen Lord happened. Jesus saved the most important revelation—that he was alive, risen from the dead—to impart to a woman. A woman, whose love for Jesus was palpable, unquestionable. Jesus, like us all, responded to intense love.
She was crying and the two angels at the tomb asked her “Why?” She said the obvious and logical—“They have taken my Lord and I don’t know where to find him.”
Then she turned and saw Jesus. He was not immediately recognizable by his appearance—maybe because of his glorified body, or maybe something as simple as attire. He asked why she was crying and who she was looking for.
She thought he was the gardener, “If you have taken him, let me know where to go.”
Jesus spoke one word. Her name. “Mary” – the sound of his voice, the manner in which he spoke her name transformed her understanding. She called him ‘Rabboni’ (Teacher).
His next words made me laugh: “Do not hold onto me.”
She must have lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him so tightly that he could hardly breathe. She couldn’t let go. The miracle was too great.
Jesus doesn’t suggest he follow her back to the house. No, he tells her to go and tell. Jesus made Mary Magdalene the first Apostle –one who was sent—to tell the other disciples. She obeyed, telling them, “I have seen the Lord.”
That was the truth of the resurrection. Eyewitness accounts. I have seen the Lord. We trust the stories because we can identify with their shock and excitement. With their not ‘getting’ it and then discovering the miracle of a risen Lord. We share their experiences vicariously, and our faith is deepened.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 31:9-16;Lamentations 3:55-66;Mark 10:32-34&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NIV;NCV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts 10:34-43;Jeremiah 31:1-6;Matthew 28:1-10;John 20:1-18&version=KJV;GNT;NCV;NIV;ERV (multiple versions)
Easter Sunday
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2 Psalm 118:14-24
Colossians 3:1-4
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 28:1-10
John 20:1-18
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 118:24 King James Version (KJV)
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
John 20:1-18
King James Version (KJV)
20 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, Forgive us for causing you so much pain. Thank you for saving us from our sin. Help us to fulfill our mission to go an tell...to make disciples. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
The First Sunday of the Season of Easter was a non-stop celebration, and a retelling of the ‘good stories’ of Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples were confused, not sure what had been going on. They were bereft of their leader and had gathered in their homes to grieve.
The women went to treat the body with the spices they couldn’t use before they buried Jesus. Mary risked a two day old deteriorating body to bring the spices to anoint the body for a proper burial, even though we know that Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus had done a good job on Friday.
Mary experienced the first encounter with Jesus. He revealed himself to her first. She reacted out of love and grasped him so hard that he had to say, ‘Don’t hold onto me. He gave her a mission. Go and tell the others. She obeyed, bringing the best news ever. “He is risen. He is alive. I have seen him.” She was a first-hand witness.
Each of us must encounter Jesus individually, too. Our relationship alters the more we love him. He meets us where we are and we are given a mission. Every one of us. “Go and tell.”
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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Replies
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Thanks to a risen savior we can all become Children of God. Mary stayed and persisted until she found her Lord. May I continuet
To stay and vt
To always watch for the visible signs given vt
To me. I was alone on Maudy Thursday. I to the hospital chapel to pray. Before I left I asked God to give me a sign that I was not alone. Sat alone in the chapel and worshiped. As I was leaving the minute I opened the door to exit the chapel, as I stepped into the lobby of the hospital a siren went off. The light above the chapel door was blinking red, people were all stirring around and wondering what was going on. Indeed I was not alone as I made my exit. God does have a sense of getting attention. That was my sign, you are not alone. We are never alone if we walk with the Lord.0
