Leviticus 21-22 Matthew 28

“The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here. He has risen from the dead as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was.” (Matthew 28:5-6 NCV)

The Pharisees remembered Jesus’s promise to rise again better than the disciples. The two Marys headed to the tomb to finish the burial preparations. If the disciples had really believed that Jesus was coming back from the grave, they’d have rushed to wait and watch – maybe even pass the time of day with the guards. Instead, the two ladies went to the tomb. Instead of finding someone to roll the stone away, they got an invitation to see the grave that Jesus had vacated. The angel also reminded them that Jesus had said He would rise from the dead, and He had lived up to that promise.

The Resurrection. This was the teaching that scared the Sadducees and the Pharisees. They set a guard lest anyone should seek to fake it, but this was the last thing on the disciples’ minds as they grieve Jesus’s death. He proclaimed that it would happen, and it happened. God can be trusted. Jesus showed His power over life and death and He’s promised that we’ll be with Him forever. A current hit song explains how that should affect us this way: “The King of Heaven wants me, and the world has lost its grip on me.” Stay true to the living God who conquered death, and don’t follow the way of the world that leads to death.

Lord, You alone have the words of life. Help me to follow You no matter what the temptations may be.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.