But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid ... He is not here, for he has risen ...”

Matthew 28:5-6

When I was in New Orleans for a servant event following Hurricane Katrina, we visited a cemetery where many caskets had been washed away. Most of the remains were never found. 2,000 years ago, on Easter morning in Jerusalem, the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea was empty. The body of Jesus of Nazareth was missing. But it wasn’t because of a flood or grave robbers. Jesus had risen, as he had promised, victorious over the power of death and the grave. Some of our own hearts may be heavy with grief, torn with the memory of open graves of loved ones. But Jesus’ grave is still empty. He is alive! There is no doubt about it! That made all the difference on that first Easter. And it still makes all the difference in the world today, every day, and forever.

Gil Duchow
Muskego, WI

Victorious Savior, we praise you for the absolute assurance that you have defeated death and given us the gift of eternal life. Alleluia! Amen.

Reflect: Let the words and melody ring in your head and heart: “I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Read: Matthew 28:1-15 and 1 Peter 1:3-9