Easter: A New Beginning
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
Memory Verse
“Jesus isn't here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, ‘The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.”(CEV)
Have you ever felt so sad it seemed like nothing would ever go right again? You’re not alone. Jesus’ friends experienced deep sorrow when he died. They felt so sad, they even forgot about his promised resurrection.
A group of women, including Jesus’ friend Mary Magdalene, was the first to remember and share the good news. They had seen Jesus die on the cross. They saw his body laid in the tomb. How could God’s Son die this way? What a terrible ending. The women brought sweet-smelling spices to anoint Jesus’ body and say their final goodbyes. Imagine their shock and fear when they arrived at an empty tomb. At first, they believed someone stole their friend’s body. Then two angels appeared. “Remember what he told you,” one of them said. The women remembered! Jesus had predicted his own death, but he also promised he would rise again. Though they couldn’t see Jesus, the women ran to share this good news. Their faith guided them. “He’s alive!” But the words sounded like nonsense to the other disciples, who rushed to see for themselves.
It was true. Later that day, Jesus appeared to some of his other friends. What seemed like the end was really the beginning. Jesus is alive. Death can’t win. No matter what happens to us or how we feel about it, God’s promises were true at the cross. They were true at the empty tomb. And they are still true today.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article The Gift of Sacrifice
Prayer
Thank you, God, that you are bigger than my circumstances and the feelings I have about them. Thank you for Mary and her friends, who first heard the good news that Jesus was alive and bravely shared the truth. Give me courage to face my fears and questions. Give me courage to share the good news that Jesus died and rose again for each one of us. I love you, God. I know that you love me. Amen.Related Resources
Sara Korber-DeWeerd
Sara Korber-DeWeerd is a freelance writer, teacher, and Down syndrome advocate. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband Mark and their three children, plus one dog and seven chickens. When not teaching or writing, Sara enjoys exploring the mountains, lakes, and rocky coastlines of New England with her active family (though they usually leave the chickens at home).