Preparing for Easter: Jesus' Resurrection

For the next few weeks until Easter we are dedicating each week to a topic that will help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for Easter. This past week on Twitter we explored Jesus' Resurrection. In case you missed the tweets here they are:

• The stone was rolled away, the tomb empty & the women remembered why this was only after being reminded: 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 clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words. - Luke 24: 1- 8 (NIV)

• To His disciples he said, don’t be afraid, it is me and do you have anything to eat?  While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. - Luke 24: 36 – 43 (NIV)

• Thomas had to see before he believed, what did Jesus say about those who believe without seeing…Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”  But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20: 24 – 29 (NIV)

• What Jesus had to say after his resurrection (meant for all that believe):  Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matt. 28:  16 - 20 (NIV)

• His believers experienced great Joy and had a desire to praise God – same trademarks of believers today:  When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.  Luke 24: 50 - 53 (NIV)

• Mary Magdalene ran to tell other’s that Jesus was not in the tomb…are you running today to tell the same message? 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.  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” John 20: 1-2 (NIV)

Application

When reflecting on these reminders of Jesus' Resurrection we are taught the following:

• What Jesus says always is the truth.  We need to commit Jesus' words to memory and live from them.
• Jesus experienced all the same feelings/needs as we do (including hunger!).  This meaning Jesus really does understand what we go through daily.
• One of the messages Jesus continually told people was not to be afraid.  Those who believe in Christ and follow Him have nothing to fear.
• Those who believe in Jesus today are blessed!
• As believers we have been charged to make disciples by baptizing in the name of Christ and teaching God's word.
• Trademarks of followers of Christ are Joy and a desire to Praise Him!
• Followers of Christ have a message worthy of some running!  Two-thousand years later the message is still the same.  Jesus is not in a tomb and is ALIVE!
  

Next week will explore the topic of Sin.

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration!


Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.