Easter: Easter Changes Everything!
John 20:1-18 Common English Bible
20 Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.” 3 Peter and the other disciple left to go to the tomb. 4 They were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and was the first to arrive at the tomb. 5 Bending down to take a look, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Following him, Simon Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 He also saw the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t with the other clothes but was folded up in its own place. 8 Then the other disciple, the one who arrived at the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 They didn’t yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.
11 Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels dressed in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the foot. 13 The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” 14 As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, “I’ve seen the Lord.” Then she told them what he said to her.
GATHERING FOR SUNDAY
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Today is Good Friday, the day that we pause, reflect and hold the reality of what Jesus' did for us, His choice to go to the cross willingly, on our behalf. I am mindful of feelings of sadness and gratitude, awe and horror, all at once, because of the powerful act of love that Jesus shared for this world. If you were present at the Maundy Thursday service last night, Pastor Edgar Ardon reminded us that we celebrate Easter, the empty tomb because of Jesus' sacrifice, and we can be joyful and thankful for what was done for us.
Today, may you hold this reality close, allow for Jesus' love for you, spend time reflecting today what this means for you, and our world. Isaiah 53:5 prophesied what Jesus would do for us, "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." We can praise God for Jesus, and thank Him for giving His One and Only Son.
We will worship together on Sunday morning, sharing the joyous greeting, "He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed." The text I will be preaching from is John 20:1-18 this coming Easter Sunday morning.
We are looking forward to being together, worshiping our Risen Savior, being reminded of Hope that is here, and yet to come, and that Jesus Christ has made all the difference for us.
Please prayerfully consider inviting someone to church this Sunday, as we share food and fellowship time together.
And, we will Praise Him!
I also invite you to read this article by Christine Caine today, as we reflect on Good Friday, and what this day means for us.
Be blessed today, Pastor Kari