Scripture
Luke 24:1–12
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves, and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Prayer
Oh Holy One, we rejoice as we commit this day to celebrating not just your abundant sacrifice but your glorious rising again.
Christ: Deliverer, Redeemer, Victor. Our atonement, our resurrection, prophecy fulfilled.
The cross is either meaningless, or it is the meaning of the universe. Today, we declare that the cross is everything. In your perfect and complete sacrifice, we find the answer to our brokenness. In your resurrection, we find the hope of eternity. For those who live and believe in you will never die.
O Lord, sustain our wonder as we gaze upon the cross!
May we never seek the living among the dead. Let our hearts, resurrected with you, forever reflect that It is finished.The stone has been rolled away. And the Son of Man has risen as foretold.
O that we may be watchful for your hand in the renewal of all things, from this day forth and forevermore.
Amen.