Scripture: Matthew 28:8-15

8 They went away from the grave in a hurry. They were afraid and yet had much joy. They ran to tell the news to His followers.

 9 As they went to tell the followers, Jesus met them and said hello to them. They came and held His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My followers to go to Galilee. They will see Me there."

 11 While they were on their way, some of the soldiers who were to watch the grave came into the city. They told the head religious leaders everything that had happened. 12 The soldiers gathered together with the other leaders and talked about what to do. The leaders gave much money to the soldiers. 13 They said, "Tell the people, 'His followers came at night and took His body while we were sleeping.' 14 We will see that you do not get into trouble over this if Pilate hears about it." 15 They took the money and did as they were told. This story was told among the Jews and is still told today.

Meditation: Are you prepared to meet the Risen Lord? The disciples of Jesus were as unprepared for his resurrection as they were for his death. The empty tomb made them fearful and joyful at the same time. "Where did they put the body or did he really rise just as he predicted?"  Even though Jesus had spoken to them before of his death and rising, they could not believe until they saw the empty tomb and met the risen Lord. Aren't we the same? We want to see with our own eyes before we believe! The guards brought their testimony to the chief priests and elders who met the news with denial. They were resolved to not believe that Jesus had risen and they bribed the guards in the hope of keeping others from believing.

What is the basis of our faith in the resurrection? The scriptures tell us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen"(Hebrews 11:1). Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. Our faith is a free assent to the whole truth which God reveals to us through his word. Faith is certain because it is based on the very word of God who cannot lie. Faith also seeks understanding. That is why God enlightens the "eyes of our hearts" that we may know what is the hope to which he has called us (Ephesians 1:18). Peter the Apostle says we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). Through the gift of faith, the Lord reveals himself to those who believe in his word and he fills them with "new life in his Holy Spirit". Do you live in the joy and hope of the resurrection? And do you recognize the presence of the Risen Lord in his word, in the "breaking of the bread", and in his church, the body of Christ?

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, may we always live in the joy and hope of the resurrection and never lose sight of its truth for our lives."

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11

1 Keep me, O God, for I am safe in You.
 2 I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord. All the good things I have come from You."

5 The Lord is all that I am to receive, and my cup. My future is in Your hands.

7 I will give honor and thanks to the Lord, Who has told me what to do. Yes, even at night my mind teaches me.
 8 I have placed the Lord always in front of me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved.
 9 And so my heart is glad. My soul is full of joy. My body also will rest without fear.
 10 For You will not give me over to the grave. And You will not allow Your Holy One to return to dust.
 11 You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.