Sunday – Empty Tomb
Scripture: John 20:1-10
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. 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.” Peter and the other disciple left to go to the tomb. They were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and was the first to arrive at the tomb. Bending down to take a look, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. Following him, Simon Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 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. Then the other disciple, the one who arrived at the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. They didn’t yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.
Thought for the Day: Happy Resurrection Day! Today is a day of new beginnings. We tend to think of New Year’s Day as the time to make a resolution to start something new, but today is the day when people of faith declare the power of God to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, joy out of sorrow. No matter what unhealthy habit, spirit of hopelessness or destructive relationship that seems to claim you, today reminds us that we have a partner in the work of real transformation. Resurrection is not a modification. It is not a little tweak or alteration. It is the act of God’s love and empowering grace to take that which is dead and buried, and demonstrate how the story is not over. Let’s make today something more than bunny rabbits and eggs. Let us be a people who are ready to claim the Good News of Easter! Let us embrace the God who desires to see us raised into the fullness of life. Today is a day of new beginnings.
Prayer: It is good to wake to this new day, O Lord of the New Creation. Let me embrace all you offer me so that the newness of life does not become something old. Amen.
Good Morning!
It Is Easter Sunday
