our daily invitation.

Read Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Easter Sunday was just a few days ago. Here in west Michigan, it was a bright and sunny day with warm temperatures and many friendly faces. My home church was packed with people wearing bright colors and beautiful dresses, bringing along their friends and family! Our culture has made Easter a sweet spring day, but we know it is so much more than that.

We celebrate the risen Jesus and remember the truth of what was accomplished on the cross; we are set free in Christ! He reigns as King now and forever. <3

How do we respond to this, on Easter and every day that follows? How do we respond today?

Mary Magdalene & Mary were women of God, following Jesus and believing in who He said He is. They were faithful servants whose lives were marked by deep relationship with Jesus. In Matthew 28:1-10, Mary & Mary arrive to view the tomb of Jesus at the dawn of the first day of the week, and what they found was more miraculous than they could have imagined; they find that Jesus has risen, just has he said he would! From an angel sitting on top of the rolled away stone,

“Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said.” (vv. 5-6)

We can learn a lot from the ways that Mary & Mary respond in this moment that changed the world.

Come and see.

“Come and see the place where he lay.” (v. 6)

The angel of the Lord invites Mary & Mary to come and see the empty tomb, the truth of the resurrection for themselves. What a glorious moment to witness! We are extended the same invitation, to come and see the glory of Jesus and the truth of what his resurrection accomplished for us, and for the whole world. We can come and witness his love and his glory each day as we open the Word, spend time in prayer, embrace community and times of silence, and as we are aware of God’s presence every moment of every day. I see God's glory in the beauty of a beach sunrise. <3

Go and tell!

“Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’” (v. 7)

This story is meant to be told—over and over again. Mary & Mary were given instructions to go and tell the disciples, and begin the spread of the good news meant for everyone to hear. We are given the same instructions, to go and tell the lost, and to remind faithful disciples of the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. This moment changed the world, and it’s still changing the world. There are always people in our lives that need to hear and see evidence of the gospel—in our actions and in our words.

We fall at the feet of Jesus in worship.

“So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. Just then, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ They came up, took hold of his feet and worshiped him.” (vv. 8-9)

Mary & Mary see Jesus face-to-face, and the only way they could respond was to fall at his feet and worship. They were in complete awe, soaking in the truth of His resurrection and what it meant for them, and for the world. When we soak in this same truth, we have no other way to respond! The greatest place to be is at the feet of Jesus in awe and in worship. How good he is, to welcome us home in his presence.

As brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the Gospel is something worth celebrating and responding to every day! Like Mary & Mary, were are invited to—

Come and see.

Go and tell.

Fall at his feet in worship.

May we say YES today! <3