April 12th, 2009
EYES ON EASTER
What do you see when your eyes are on Easter? For some, Easter brings visions of baskets filled with jelly beans, colored eggs, and marshmallow bunnies. For others, it means going to sunrise service, eating the traditional Easter breakfast and then going home to enjoy time with family and friends. While all those things are not bad in and of themselves – they are not what Easter is all about. This week’s reading’s take us on a journey back to the very first Easter and then forward to the very last Easter. It shows us what God wants us to see as we keep our EYES ON EASTER.
“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" Mark 16:1-2
EYES ON EASTER: The three women went to Jesus’ tomb expecting to find Him dead, wanting nothing more than to say one last goodbye and anoint His body with spices (much like putting flowers on the gravesite of a loved one). They knew they would have to deal with the huge stone in front of the tomb, and even though they had no idea who would roll it away –they kept walking. And what did they see - A moved stone and an empty tomb.
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. Mark 16:4-7
EYES ON EASTER: The two Mary’s and Salome had not even experienced Easter. But they had experienced Jesus and that was enough to motivate them to keep walking in spite of very large obstacles. We have experienced Easter – we know the rest of the story. So what do we see when we keep our EYES ON EASTER? We not only see the empty tomb, we see our risen Savior, and the glorious benefits that are ours because of Him.
EYES ON EASTER - it is the foundation of the Gospel message and it’s what brings us forgiveness of sins and salvation: “I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” 1 Corinthians 15:1- 3
EYES ON EASTER - it is our pathway to joy in this life and the next: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:2&11
EYES ON EASTER – it is a foretaste of the final Easter when, “He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8
No matter what obstacles you might be facing in life and in death - keep your EYES ON EASTER!! HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA
Prayer: “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance…. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure” Psalm 16:6-7&9
Thank you Lord Jesus.
Church Season –
EASTER SUNDAY
Week ending: April 12th, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
Isaiah 25:6-9
EYES ON EASTER – let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation
Tuesday – Psalm
EYES ON EASTER – You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good thing
Wednesday –(Epistle)
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
EYES ON EASTER – The Grace of God is with us
Thursday – (Gospel)
Mark 16:1-8
EYES ON EASTER – HE IS RISEN
Friday – REFLECT
Saturday – SHARE
Sunday – HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD!!!!
