Rise Daily: March 28

Rise Daily: March 28

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 20:1-9

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

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.

The resurrection of Christ as historical fact is the lynch-pin that decides the truth and relevance of Christianity. To paraphrase the stark words of the Apostle Paul, if Christ is not raised, your faith is ridiculous (1 Corinthians 15:14).

It is no wonder then that the disciples’ first encounter with the empty tomb is met with a range of reactions. For Mary Magdalene, the first to the tomb in the dark before dawn, there is perplexity. She sees the displaced stone and is convinced that someone has removed Jesus’ body. There is no indication from the narrative that she considered her Lord was anything but dead.

John has the opposite response. He believes though he does not yet understand.

Peter is somewhere in the middle. He doesn’t know what to think. He leaves for home pondering what it all means.

These are very real reactions to a decidedly surreal event. People who are brutally battered and killed do not rise from death three days later in super-human condition. If this is true, if Jesus has truly risen, then this is the central defining event of human history. This is the axis upon which everything else in life revolves. If this is true, Jesus is Lord. If Jesus is Lord, would he not deserve our hearts’ full allegiance?

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20–21)

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: Praise God that Jesus is risen! Praise God that because of the resurrection, Jesus can now be the axis on which our lives revolve and that forgiveness, grace, freedom, and love can motivate everything we do.

For your Church: Praise God for the privilege to celebrate the resurrection in community! Praise God for the stories and testimonies from those whose lives have been transformed by the gospel!

For our City: Praise God for all the churches in our city celebrating Easter. Praise God that we are all one body united across all five boroughs celebrating the resurrection of Christ!