Our Father in heaven,
Jesus has risen indeed!
Sin chooses death, receives death, and deserves death! But today we celebrate life eternal through Christ’s victory over both sin and death! Lord, if death is the proof of our sin, then Christ’s resurrection is the proof of our salvation. We are in Christ; we live because he lives!
Our scars no longer define us, neither do our shame or guilt! We are clean and clothed with righteousness! But do we really know this in the depths of our hearts?
Lord, we only have to wait a few days after our Good Friday service to experience the joy of resurrection; we know that Easter is coming. We planned the service, organized breakfast and fellowship together and arrived with appropriate expectations and smiles.
The disciples hadn’t expected the resurrection at all! Inconsolable grief, fear and confusion defined their lives until it finally sunk in: Jesus had risen from the dead! What an amazing explosion of joy, wonder and hope they must have felt!
Lord, would you fill us with that kind of joy today, Easter Sunday, and every day. We want to celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection every day of our lives, and glorify you in all that we do. In the name of our resurrected Lord Jesus we proclaim: Christ is risen! and pray for his sake and his glory alone. Amen.