Journey to the Cross 
Pause
Hope! That is the central element of the Easter story. In the resurrection of Jesus we are given hope and the assurance that death cannot and will not win.
Make yourself ready then—again—to be overtaken by the magnificent good news that Jesus is alive, risen to glory.
Allow the truth of his life to take on new life within your heart.
Listen
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:1–10
Think
Jesus changes us. His presence in word, in whisper, and in image shift our thinking. For Mary Magdalene and Mary, their lives changed at every moment they encountered Jesus.
In this moment we see agony change to anticipation. Mary and Mary’s face-to-face moment with the risen Christ—the mentor and friend they saw die—is completely transformed. Jesus changes them. Their love allowed them to first HOPE and then to RUN—run to share the news. And wow, did they run! They ran, letting fear be left behind.
Jesus changes us. His rising surprises, scares and then ultimately moves us to run. To run with resurrection abandon—shouting the good news!
Gina Yeager-Buckley
Pray
O God of the rising, of the new life, of change and joy, I look at my life today and because of your son, because of Jesus, I can see possibility. God, remind me to act in ways that transform your world; to live with love that allows me to leave fear behind. Amen.
Go
Resurrection changes things—
Each and every day.
Believing makes all the difference.
Even when you have your doubts,
Jesus remains close by.
Now go to tell others about
The life-changing love Christ offers.
