Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. (John 20:1 NIV) A careful reading of the resurrection account reveals why women, in particular Mary Magdalene, were the first to discover the empty tomb andContinue reading “Women Who Rise”
Category Archives: Rise Again
You’ve Got a Friend in Jesus
Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. (Mark 14:50 NIV) When Jesus needed His disciples during the most crucial time in His life and ministry, they all “deserted Him and ran away.” Not to mention that one denied Him after promising that he would never do that even if all of the othersContinue reading “You’ve Got a Friend in Jesus”
Go and Tell Them
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead ofContinue reading “Go and Tell Them”
Your Resurrection is Coming!
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples mayContinue reading “Your Resurrection is Coming!”
Saturday Was Silent
But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. (Luke 23:56 NIV) Saturday was silent. Not much is recorded in Scripture about what happened after Jesus died on Friday, except that it was a traditional day of rest. In this instance, it was rest for those who were grieving the death of theirContinue reading “Saturday Was Silent”
Good Friday
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:15 NIV) Every Good Friday, we celebrate Jesus’ triumph and Satan’s defeat. Boy, the devil must really hate this day! Imagine the humiliation he goes through every year when he is reminded of thatContinue reading “Good Friday”
Embrace Don’t Excuse
When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keepContinue reading “Embrace Don’t Excuse”
From Tradition to Expectation
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothesContinue reading “From Tradition to Expectation”
Strengthen the Others
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32 NIV) Jesus knew that Simon wasn’t as strong as he claimed to be (is it any wonder then why Jesus doesn’t referContinue reading “Strengthen the Others”
Finish Strong
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning itsContinue reading “Finish Strong”
Rising with the Son 