Thursday within the Octave of the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord
Posted on April 13, 2023 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 28:1-8 (NKJV)
28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
Devotion
The women at the tomb had the high honor of being first witnesses of Christ’s miraculous resurrection. They also received the good news from the Lord’s angel, which was also a tremendous blessing! But that does not mean the women were to claim more than was given to them. God’s will was for them to bear witness according to their proper roles.
This honorable role for these women stands in contrast to the dishonor of Eve’s sin in the garden. She had been taught God’s Word and will, but she chose to reach out for things that were not given by God. She sought pleasure, wisdom, and glory according to what seemed right in her own eyes. But that sin was paid for and conquered by Christ’s death and resurrection from the tomb! Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had the blessed experience of being called to tell the disciples that Jesus Christ had truly risen and overcame the death that Adam and Eve brought into the world!
Each of us is called to particular duties. Not all of us are pastors, or scholars, or leaders. Some have the honor of being mothers, fathers, workers, helpers, and so on. If we ignore God’s Word and commands concerning our vocations, sin follows. But God is merciful, and He gives His Word and Spirit freely so that we might all repent and be made faithful children and helpers according to His holy work!
Prayer: Almighty God, Who, through Thine Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, hast overcome death and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life: We humbly beseech Thee, that, as Thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by Thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
