Rise Daily: March 30

Rise Daily: March 30

THIS WEEK’S THEME & PASSAGE

Encountering the Risen King (Easter) – John 20:1-18

This week’s sermon from the series “Where We are Going: The City and the Mission“

THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE

Memorizing scripture is a way to keep God’s word close to our hearts. Each week we will select one verse of scripture to remember as a community.

Romans 8:11

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

THE WORD

Each day’s devotion will focus on one part of the week’s passage.

John 20:11-16

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

MEDITATION ON THE WORD

In our busyness and distraction, it is easy to skim through our reading rather than taking it in. Yet we believe this is the inspired word of God. Take a moment to pause, thank God for the scriptures and ask him to speak to you through them today.

Though Peter and John left for home, Mary remained weeping at the empty tomb. The only person who ever really knew her and loved her was gone. Her grief was so deep that she couldn’t notice that she was conversing with angels. “Woman,” they asked, “why are you weeping?” Perhaps they appeared very ordinary (though the Gospel of Luke says otherwise). But she looked right at Jesus and didn’t know him. Not even the sound of his voice could call her out of her tears. “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” he asked. It wasn’t until he spoke her name, “Mary,” that her heart could recognize him.

Gardeners and undertakers may have addressed her coldly and impersonally as “woman”–that was culturally typical. But this “gardener” crossed that boundary line and penetrated her heart. He knew her. She knew him.

There could be nothing really comforting about a God who is detached, cold, and impersonal. How unique is this Christian God who calls his children by name!

THIS WEEK’S RISE REFLECTION

When we look to the resurrection we find a beautiful freedom to serve others. Through Christ’s example we are free to serve in the radical, loving ways in which he has served us. We hope that this Rise season will serve as a catalyst for gospel renewal not only on an individual basis but also in multiplying expressions of philanthropy, justice, mercy, reconciliation, integrity, and hope all across New York in ways that advance the common good for everyone in this city.

TODAY’S PRAYER

For your Heart: Take a moment to settle your heart to reflect and pray for God to help you know and feel that he knows you and loves you both intimately and uniquely.

For your Church: Pray that as a people we would mirror God’s honoring of all individuals created to uniquely reflect his image.

For our City: Pray that, as Mary was comforted by Christ, those who are grieving in our city that they would come to find comfort in Jesus.