Words of The Day

Matthew 28:1-20 (Good News Translation)
God’s Word Goes Forth: Trust in God’s Promises
Introduction
Matthew 28:1-20: An angel rolls the stone from the tomb, revealing that Jesus has been raised! The women rush to tell the disciples, and on the way, they encounter the risen Christ. Later, Christ appears to the disciples on a mountain in Galilee, calling them to go forth and make disciples of all people.

Today’s Scripture: Matthew 28:5, 6
“You must not be afraid,” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying.”

Today’s Reading
1 After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid that they trembled and became like dead men. 5 The angel spoke to the women. “You must not be afraid,” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying. 7 Go quickly now, and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from death, and now he is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him!” Remember what I have told you. ” 8 So they left the tomb in a hurry, afraid and yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Peace be with you.” They came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to them. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While the women went on their way, some of the soldiers guarding the tomb went back to the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 The chief priests met with the elders and made their plan; they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “You are to say that his disciples came during the night and stole his body while you were asleep. 14 And if the Governor should hear of this, we will convince him that you are innocent, and you will have nothing to worry about. ” 15 The guards took the money and did what they were told to do. And so that is the report spread around by the Jews to this very day. 16 The eleven disciples went to the hill in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, even though some of them doubted. 18 Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age. ”

Reflect
The risen Christ appears first to the women—a surprise, since women in the ancient world had lower status than men. Then Jesus commands his followers to make disciples of all nations, though foreigners had lower status as well. How does it feel to know that Jesus’ grace extends to all people, empowering the oppressed and sharing God’s love with all? How can you be an extension of Jesus’ grace to others?

Pray
Hallelujah! Christ is risen! Thank you, God, for the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of justice, grace, and hope that he brings! Send me to go forth and make disciples, showing Christ’s love to all people! Amen.

Prayer Concern
All who suffer from oppression
 

Have a Peaceful and Prayerful Easter as we share the word from the American Bible Society.

God Bless You and Your Family.

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