Day 283

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He is Risen!

Scripture

October 9—Matthew 26-28: The Resurrection of Christ!

Observation

Matthew's readers have seen Jesus in many different roles: Preacher, Teacher, Miracle Worker, Prophet. But now the signs and sermons are concluded, and the day of Christ's death is at hand. Matthew relates the familiar yet forever vivid details of the garden prayer meeting, betrayal, mock trial, denial, agonizing crucifixion, burial in a borrowed tomb, and joyous discovery by the women that first Easter dawn. The shout of triumph, "He has come back to life again" (28:6), becomes the message of good news for all nations (28:18-19).

Application

"The King is dead; long live the King." With those words, many a monarch has passed from the scene, only to be succeeded by another. But in the case of Christ, the King of the Jews, the phase takes on added significance.

Never before had a king died only to succeed himself to the throne. But Christ did. Never before had a man been crucified and buried only to emerge bodily three days later. But Christ did. Never before had a man endured such human hatred in order to demonstrate such divine love. But the Son of Man did.

No other event in human history could be so aptly described as "old, yet ever new." No other single piece of good news has brought more comfort, more encouragement, more peace to more people than the ringing declaration, "He is risen!" From memory, or with the aid of a hymnal, sing a few of the grand songs of Easter ("He Lives," "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," "He Arose"). You'll find that in October—or any time of the year—Easter is only a song away when you know the One whom death could not keep in the tomb!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we surrender our will to you. We want to always be obedience to your Word for we know obeying your Word brings us closer to you. We want the world to know that we've simply got to trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for dying and carrying our sins on that old rugged cross and teaching us to repent and sin no more. Because you rose from the grave and are now preparing a place for us in eternity, we are forever grateful. You will give us joy and happiness if we continue to obey and trust in you and endure to the end of our life in this world. Hallelujah, in Jesus name! Amen! 

Hallelujah!




© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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