Journey to the Cross

Pause

“Jesus is alive! He is risen!’

Can you imagine what that felt like to Jesus’ followers as the story made its way through the city and countryside?

From the depths of despair there is hope.

From death there is life.

From crucifixion there is resurrection!

Open your hearts to hope.

Listen

Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.” Peter and the other disciple left to go to the tomb. They were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and was the first to arrive at the tomb. Bending down to take a look, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. Following him, Simon Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. He also saw the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t with the other clothes but was folded up in its own place. Then the other disciple, the one who arrived at the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

John 20:1-8

Think

It’s been said that it is darkest before the dawn. If true, yesterday was the darkest in the Jesus story, and today brings a powerful new dawn. The characters from the week are reassembled. First, Mary discovers the empty tomb. Then the disciple Jesus loved and impulsive Simon Peter race to the tomb to see it for themselves. Finally, inside the tomb, they see Jesus is gone.

The disciple who Jesus loved saw this and believed. From the darkness of crucifixion to the bright light of resurrection, the followers of Jesus — at some level they may not even understand — begin to sense what Jesus had been teaching them all along: He is the Christ, sent by the Father to show them a new way.

Today’s church celebrates this, but imagine the emotions of such a week when you do not know how the story ends. This is resurrection. This is new life. Embrace it today!

Brian Foreman

Pray

Oh God, for new life I shout Hallelujah! Christ is risen, and into his glory I am called to redeem the hurting in this world. Show me the way! Amen.

Go

From the darkest of nights comes the brightest of days!

Take notice, Christ shines brightly on you today.