Opening Prayer

Almighty God, we rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Like the women at the empty tomb, fill us with awe and joy as we proclaim, “He’s not here; He has risen!” May we embrace our role as messengers of this glorious truth, spreading hope and love to a world in need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Scripture

Devotion

Very rarely does a day change so unexpectedly and completely. The two women named Mary set out early on Sunday morning with the intention of paying their respects and completing the burial rituals for Jesus. However, their plan took an abrupt and joyful turn.

An angel of the Lord appeared before them, proclaiming, “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!” That emptiness, the absence of the body, did not symbolise Jesus’ Absence, but His Very Presence. It symbolised His Triumph over sin, evil, death; it became the evidence of the release of His Resurrection Power into the world. The women ran to tell the disciples “afraid yet filled with joy” (v.8). Their lives were forever changed.

Of course, that glorious morning did not only surprise and change the lives of these women. They changed the lives of the disciples, of us, and altered the course of the world.

The term “angel” simply means a messenger. The angel at the tomb had a vital message to deliver to the women: “He’s not here; He has risen!” At the empty tomb, the women themselves became ‘angels’ too with the same message to proclaim to the disciples, “He’s not here; He has risen!” The disciples were charged to carry this message to the ends of the world.

And we too have become messengers. We are to tell the world, “He’s not here; He has risen!” May your heart be filled with joy as you embrace this calling.

Intercessory Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we give You our hands to do Your Work. We give You our feet to go Your Way. We give You our tongue to speak Your Words. We give You our mind that You may think through us. We give You our spirit that You may pray in us. Above all, we give You our heart that You may love through us. Heavenly Father of all mankind, we give You our whole self that You may grow in us, so that it is You, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in us. Jesus the Messiah, we dedicate our life to You afresh to be used for Your Perfect Will. We commit ourselves to fulfil Your Purposes in our life. Take us and use us for Your Glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!