Vainly They Seal The Dead

• How do you think the disciples were feeling the day after Jesus’ death? Be specific.

• If you had been one of Jesus’ disciples, what would it have taken for you to believe that he had risen from the dead?

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
Mark 16:6

The day after Jesus’ crucifixion—which was Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath—may have been the darkest day in human history. The light of the world had been extinguished. The great Teacher was silenced. The Messiah was dead, and with him all hope for eternal life. At least, that’s the way it appeared.

When Sunday dawned, however, there came strange and exciting news from Jesus’ gravesite. The stone had been rolled away. The burial clothes were lying on the ground. The tomb was empty.

A group of women who had come to anoint Jesus’ body with spices were the first to discover the amazing truth. An angel in the tomb told them Jesus had risen. They ran to tell Peter and the rest of the disciples, so they could share in the joy. Some were skeptical at first. Then it dawned on them that this had been Jesus’ plan and purpose all along.

When Jesus rose from the grave that Sunday morning, he defeated death once and for all. Anyone who believes in him will have eternal life. That is the reason we celebrate Easter.

PRAYER
Dear God, you have the power over death. You raised Jesus so that we may have eternal life with you. Thank you for your awesome love and sacrifice. We love you. Amen.