The King Is Alive
Devotion written by Peter Davey
Read: Matthew 28:1-10
As you read the passage for today I wonder what has been in your mind?
– the early start?
– the ‘mood’ of the two Marys?
– the purpose of their visit?
– their conversation as they walked?
Actually Mark and Luke fill in some details for us. Having prepared the spices needed (Luke 23:55,56) the women were on their way to anoint Jesus’ body. Embalming was not a Jewish practice; the spices were brought as an anointing, a final act of devotion and love! (compare Matthew 26:12)
The open tomb
Mark informs us that their minds were pondering the insurmountable problem of ‘Who can roll away the heavy stone for us…?’ (Mark 16:3). This stone had been rolled into place and sealed by the Romans: they would have found it impossible to remove. The stone was very big. It would have weighed between 1 and 2 tonnes and in all likelihood would have been wedged tightly into the cave entrance like a cork in a bottle. However, the earthquake instantly transformed their fears about moving the stone into awe and terror as they saw that the stone had been rolled away (v2).
Fear and Joy
As they gazed at the open tomb they must have struggled to take in what their eyes were seeing: a figure shining as bright as lightning, and the guards absolutely paralysed ‘like dead men’ but shaking with fear (v4)!
Then immediately they heard a voice saying: ‘Do not be afraid…’ (v5). The message must have seemed astounding and I love the way they were encouraged to, ‘Come and see the place where He lay’ (v6). Any doubt instantly turned to belief! No wonder they ‘hurried away…filled with joy’ (v8).
Then, suddenly Jesus met them and they worshipped Him (vv9,10). Their day of insurmountable problems became a day of celebration because Jesus who died was now alive!
Whilst they must have found it hard to grasp and impossible to explain (Luke 24:9-11) it was certain that:
– Death could not hold Him,
– The grave could not contain Him,
– The stone could not prevent Him.
– The life that was in Him was unstoppable.
– The power that raised Him is unquestionable.
– The love that He showed on the cross is inexplicable.
– The victory He has won is incontestable!
Who is He?
He is Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The King is the Son of God and our Saviour.
* * * * * * * * *
Words
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won.
Edmond Louis Budry (1854-1932)
translated by Richard Birch Hoyle (1875-1939)
Reflection
• Do you have any ‘stones’ blocking or limiting your relationship with Jesus? Is this something you can share with someone and pray about it together?
• Have there been any times when you have experienced one of God’s suddenly moments?
Meditation
Shadrach Meshak Lockridge (1913-2000) was a black American Pentecostal preacher.
Listen to his powerful description of Jesus Christ ‘That’s My King’ – a dramatic conclusion to his sermon.
Family worship idea
You could watch the part in Lion, Witch and Wardrobe where Aslan comes back to life:
We serve a mighty king, the Lion of Judah who has defeated death! Nothing is impossible with Jesus!
