Sunday 9 Apr 2023 - Easter Sunday

April 9: Matthew 28:1-7

Key Verse: Matthew 28:6
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Devotion:
One of the biggest comforts I get from being a Christian is I do not have to face death in the same way as the rest of the world! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like the idea of having to die physically, but I know in my heart that is not the end of everything but the beginning of something very special.

Seeing the pain and anguish some people face when they know they are coming to the end of their physical life should be enough to put anyone off; and seeing the demeanour of someone who knows Christ is quite different when they face their physical death. Jesus had to face so much more than we could imagine for our deaths because He was taking on a lot more than just physical death.

But today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the reason why He was not fearful of the physical death which faced Him a short while before. Many people look for ways in which they can live a few more years or stay looking younger as they get older, but what they lose sight of is the reason for living! Jesus example to us should change everyone's minds, but sadly many people close their minds off from the hope we have through Jesus.

Jesus death and resurrection gives us the hope of eternal life after our physical death and gives us a comfort which goes far beyond the anguish we may have to face when we near our physical death. Each person who went to look for Jesus in the tomb was looking to physical evidence and a reason to mourn. What they found was evidence Jesus had come back to life and a reason to celebrate!

Points to Ponder:
Do you get caught up in the anguish of death?

Will you look forward to the joy of eternal life instead?