Christ is risen — wherever you go, the risen Christ goes before you! What does this mean to how you are living your life today? How are you interacting with the risen Christ as you do what you are doing?
If we’re not careful, we can go through a typical day relying on our own wisdom and strength without appreciating that the grace of God is with us — we react to situations without following the Spirit’s leading or joining with his love and power.
“Awake my soul!” the Psalmist urges himself (Psalm 57:8). May our minds and hearts awaken to the opportunity at hand, which is the open nail-pierced hand of our risen Lord.
This short devotional will help you participate intentionally in the life that Jesus is right now living all around you. It is a wonderful Easter devotional, but it can be enjoyed any time of the year to experience the resurrection power of Jesus. This is an adaptation of the last devotional in my book Unforsaken, a series of Scripture meditations and applications on the ancient Stations of the Cross. As you read scripture, go deeper into the devotional, experience the breath prayer, and take time to reflect, I pray that it will encourage you to encounter the power of the risen Christ in your days to come.
Jesus’ Resurrection is Announced to the Women at the Tomb
Scripture Meditation
“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…
They saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As 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. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Mark 16:1,4-7.
Devotional
We may believe in the resurrection, yet not live our lives in the power and presence of the risen Christ — especially in our ordinary everyday moments. It’s easy to split our lives into spiritual parts (like going to church, reading the Bible, and praying) and secular parts (like our work, family times, and entertainment.)
Jesus doesn’t intend for us to lead separate lives, but a whole integrated life in his presence!
Hear the words spoken by the Angel to Mary Magdalene: “Jesus is risen! He is going ahead of you.” This is where the life of venturing with God begins. It’s as we abide in the Spirit of Jesus, watch and wait for his movement, and keep in step with him (John 15:7, Gal 5:25). This is living in the power of the risen Christ!
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you’re alive! You were crucified for us and you’ve risen from the dead! You’ve brought us God’s forgiveness and new life and you go ahead of us wherever we go, to care for us and guide us in your peace.
O Risen Christ, forgive me for the ways that I have not worshiped you, as the women did on that first Easter morning. Roll away the stone in my life that blocks my vision from seeing you alive and working with me in all that I do. And give me courage to share with others the Good News that you are the Savior and Lord. Amen.
Reflect
In which situation of your life are you struggling to see the risen Christ at work?
What large stone in your life needs to be moved so that you can better appreciate Christ with you?
Take up your Cross to Follow Jesus
Consider where there is an activity or relationship that is distracting you from worshiping Christ in your midst and being a witness for him to others. Removing or resolving that obstacle can be a part of taking up your cross that enables you to follow Jesus more closely.
Breathe a Prayer
Breath prayers can help you experience Jesus with you moment by moment. By combining the rhythm of your breathing with a prayer, you are engaging not only your mind in Scripture but your heart as well.
This breath prayer has helped me to look to God to guide my decisions and actions in challenging situations. It also helps me to wait on his leading:
“The risen Christ goes ahead of me into _______” (~Mark 16:7).
Breathe in: “The risen Christ goes ahead of me….”
Breathe out: “into ____________….”
Pause between each section of your breath to experience Jesus’ presence and peace.
Join My Prayer Walk with Jesus
My heart has been warmed and my life re-shaped by the stories of Jesus and his cross during Holy Week. I invite you to join me on the life-changing journey of my book: Unforsaken: Journey with Jesus on the Stations of the Cross. You’ll experience 15 devotions, prayers, and Scripture meditations that accompany the traditional stations of the cross. I also include a guide for using this resource for Lent.
May you ever draw closer to Jesus and the power and peace of the Risen Christ who always goes before you!
