“I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is either one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted on the minds of human beings — or it is the most remarkable fact of history.”

Josh McDowell

Easter Sunday: Services at 9 & 11am – today, we break our fast!

Read our post “Why Fast?” to learn about the spiritual discipline of fasting and gain a better understanding of why Jesus asked us to fast. We fast not to get something we want from God, but for God to change our wants. We fast because Jesus fasted, He expected we would fast, and we see that the early church fasted.

Engage the Word

Luke 24:1-12

24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 

3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 

4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 

5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 

6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 

7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 

8 And they remembered his words, 

9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 

10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 

11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 

12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. 

Connect the Heart

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most astounding, the most monumental, the most consequential event in all of human history. There is not a single event in the history of the world that has as much significance as the resurrection. It is the foundation of the gospel. It is the center point of our faith. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith – indeed our very existence – would be pointless.

Even though Jesus had repeatedly told His disciples that he would die and rise again, they didn’t yet understand  – and some of them would need extra proof in order to believe (especially Thomas).

But Jesus appeared to over 500 people following His resurrection – all of them eyewitnesses to this eternity-shaking miracle. Some of His followers would die horrific deaths still holding to the truth of the resurrection. It was worth it to them to give up their lives for the sake of the truth. The church exists today because the validity of the resurrection cannot be refuted.

And human existence has never been the same.

Reflect on the Truth

1. How does your heart respond to the truth of the resurrection? Spend a few moments in praise and adoration of God our Father for raising His Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead – thereby declaring victory, once and for all, over sin, shame and death.

2. Think through (and write in your journal, if you have one) all of the ways your life is impacted by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Take a moment to thank God for what you have listed.

3. How will you make a conscious choice today and going forward to trust in the hope we have through Christ’s resurrection, even in the face of fear or doubt?

Depend on the Spirit

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the deeper longings, desires or motives in your heart that these thoughts are pointing to. (For example: you may write down, “Sometimes the life of Christ and His resurrection seem so distant in the past that I do struggle with doubt. Help me see hope in the midst of fear and doubt.”) The Lord can help us discern the path forward – through His Word, His Spirit, and His people.

For Prayer

Ask him to lead you in your time of prayer, in your day – and the rest of your days – as you seek to live in the light of the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.

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Read our post “Why Fast?” to learn about the spiritual discipline of fasting and gain a better understanding of why Jesus asked us to fast. We fast not to get something we want from God, but for God to change our wants. We fast because Jesus fasted, He expected we would fast, and we see that the early church fasted.

Read yesterday’s post HERE.

Catch up on all our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting posts on the blog HERE.

Content from these devotionals has been adapted from various resources, including The Bible Speaks Today commentary series by John Stott, Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary by Derek Kidner, Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary by Tremper Longman and others.