A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Saturday, April 1 2023

A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Day 34

Matthew 28:1-4

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

Here we are in the Gospel of Matthew where Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James go to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning after the Sabbath. My thought is that they had a desperate desire to do something out of respect for their Lord. They wanted to rise and shine to watch vigil over the tomb or to spend quiet time in the presence of His body (and potentially anoint his body with spices). Here’s how the Message version of these verses describes what happened when they arrived at the tomb “Suddenly, the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered white as snow.” Then, on top of all of these shocking events, right under their feet and right in front of them, the guards are so scared that they couldn’t move. Wow! How powerful is this?? This is resurrection power at work.

On Monday, we’ll begin to focus on the angel’s words that declare our Lord is Risen. Today, let’s reflect on the fact Jesus claimed He would rise on the third day and we are at the scene where the secured stone was rolled back. What stands out to you today? Is it how the earth shook under their feet when the Marys were at the tomb? Or was it the angel that was BRIGHT as lightening (and how powerful that would have been)? Or, what about how frightened the guards were and they couldn’t even move a bone in their body? Or something else? Please share.

Let’s also prepare our hearts for what God has in store for us as we journey together through the last week of Lent and Easter Sunday.

Dear Jesus,

We praise You and give thanks that we get to journey with You through this season of Lent. Draw us closer to Your heart, that we might know You better. After we daily reflect on Your selflessness and life-giving Word, give us wisdom to be Your hands and feet in the world just as You intend. Give us hearts of compassion, hands of generosity, and feet that take Your good news to the world. We love You and are honored to serve you Lord, our sweet Savior. Amen.

Week 6 Act of Kindness

“I was in prison and you came to visit me” Matthew 25:36c

This week, help someone who can’t help themselves or has gotten themselves into trouble; or volunteer for a prison ministry organization (e.g., Kairos or Crossroads).