Easter - Day 04
Day 04: Thursday, April 06
Read Matthew 27:62-66 & Luke 23:50-56
Highlight
Jesus is killed on a Friday afternoon which means that all Jews including both his accusers and his followers would have been preparing for Sabbath, which means there was not much time for them to prepare his body and bury it. The women and Joseph of Arimathea are concerned about collecting his body and properly preparing it by the Jewish customs before they run out of time. Meanwhile the Pharisees are plotting with Pilot how to ensure that his body is guarded and secure so that no one can make a false claim about his resurrection.
But where are the disciples? We can piece together enough details to know that they are likely in hiding. They are understandably afraid of what might happen to them if they are identified as being close to Jesus (John 10:19). They are also mourning the loss of a dear friend and mentor (Mark 16:10-11). For the last three years they have spent nearly every moment of every day and night with Jesus. Their lives have been turned completely upside down and they must be wondering, for what? We know for sure what they’re not doing. They are definitely not waiting for Jesus to rise the way he said he would, because even when the first accounts of his resurrection reach them they don’t believe it’s true (Luke 24:11). In fact, they’re so convinced that Jesus' resurrection is not going to happen that when He finally appears to all of them together He starts by rebuking them for being so stubborn in their disbelief (Mark 16:14).
Given how convinced they are that Jesus will not return, the hours between his death and resurrection must have been extremely dark for his dearest friends. Despite all they have seen with their own eyes and know to be true they cannot bring themselves to hold out hope that in the end Jesus will be victorious. Perhaps we too can identify with their doubt. Is Jesus truly who He says He is? Will He do what He said He would do?
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Read Matthew 27:62-66 & Luke 23:50-56
Highlight
Jesus is killed on a Friday afternoon which means that all Jews including both his accusers and his followers would have been preparing for Sabbath, which means there was not much time for them to prepare his body and bury it. The women and Joseph of Arimathea are concerned about collecting his body and properly preparing it by the Jewish customs before they run out of time. Meanwhile the Pharisees are plotting with Pilot how to ensure that his body is guarded and secure so that no one can make a false claim about his resurrection.
But where are the disciples? We can piece together enough details to know that they are likely in hiding. They are understandably afraid of what might happen to them if they are identified as being close to Jesus (John 10:19). They are also mourning the loss of a dear friend and mentor (Mark 16:10-11). For the last three years they have spent nearly every moment of every day and night with Jesus. Their lives have been turned completely upside down and they must be wondering, for what? We know for sure what they’re not doing. They are definitely not waiting for Jesus to rise the way he said he would, because even when the first accounts of his resurrection reach them they don’t believe it’s true (Luke 24:11). In fact, they’re so convinced that Jesus' resurrection is not going to happen that when He finally appears to all of them together He starts by rebuking them for being so stubborn in their disbelief (Mark 16:14).
Given how convinced they are that Jesus will not return, the hours between his death and resurrection must have been extremely dark for his dearest friends. Despite all they have seen with their own eyes and know to be true they cannot bring themselves to hold out hope that in the end Jesus will be victorious. Perhaps we too can identify with their doubt. Is Jesus truly who He says He is? Will He do what He said He would do?
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
- What in this passage did the Spirit bring to light for you?
- What are you going to do in your life to respond to this passage?
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Posted in Easter 2023