Easter Devotion
by Holly Gallagher
Carve out some time to do this devotion when you can be alone, preferably very early on Easter morning – while it is still dark. Set your alarm, gather your Bible, pen and journal and prepare your heart and mind to encounter the Living Christ afresh.
In some ways, this is reminiscent of the first Easter -the day that Jesus rose from the grave. Those that encountered the living Christ on that first Easter, didn’t encounter him at a large worship service - but encountered him individually– or in small groups. They were filled with grief as the one hope in their lives, Jesus, was dead. Their world was in total disarray. Let’s not miss the opportunity to encounter the risen Christ powerfully, afresh – much like those that encountered Jesus that very first Easter – individually.
Your time with Jesus begins….
Silence and Solitude: Begin your time with Jesus with 10-15 minutes of silence and solitude. During this time - rest in God’s presence. Focus on your breath – God breathed life into us from the very start of His creation. Being able to focus on and use that breath can make us aware of Him, The God who lives within us, who is always inviting us into an ever-deeper relationship with Him. Use the very breath He gave you to rest in His presence. With each breath Lord – slowly in and slowly out…. may our breath be a prayer of resting in your presence. With each breath Lord – help the tension release from our bodies as we focus on resting in you. As you breathe feel relaxation flow down your spine and back – thank you for your presence Lord – thank you for the gift of rest. Lord as we inhale slowly, we think of your word – Be still and know that I am God. With each breath, inhale and whisper, Be still and know that I am God – hold your breath– then exhale and repeat it again. Be still and know that I am God…. Continue – as you inhale, whisper Be still and know that I am God – hold your breath, exhale and repeat. Thank you for your presence Lord
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know
Be still and know
Be still
Be still
Be
Thank you for your invitation to greater intimacy with you Lord. Thank you for rest
Pray: After you have rested in God’s presence for 10-15 minutes, pray – ask God to reveal himself to you through His Word.
Scripture Reading: As you prepare to read the text– envision yourself in the text. You are accompanying Mary Magdalene in each scene. Read John 20:1-18
Reflect: After you have read the Scripture – revisit each scene in your mind. As you rose early to go to the tomb, what was on your mind? What thoughts and emotions welled up inside of you as the grief of
the death of Jesus was so very fresh. Were you afraid to go to the tomb? Afraid of what the Roman guards might say to you? What do you see on your way there? Does the darkness around cause you to give way to fear? Does hopelessness invade your every thought?
Journal: Take a moment to journal what you imagine your thoughts would have been on the way to the tomb.
When you arrive and you see that the stone has been rolled away, you are overwhelmed with the thought that they have taken Jesus and you don’t know where they have put him. As you run to get Peter and John - what thoughts are running through your mind – what emotions are you feeling – Anger? Fear? Disbelief? Frustration? Despair?
Journal : Take a moment to journal what your emotions would be as you think someone has stolen the body of Jesus.
Reflect: After telling Peter and John what has happened – you run back to the tomb. Peter and John look in the empty tomb and then they go back to their homes, but you remain, alone, outside the tomb. Grief overtakes you and you weep; how could all of this be happening? You are still trying to wrap your mind around all that has happened in the past week. You were there in the crowds just one week ago, how could it only have been a week, when Jesus entered Jerusalem. You shouted “Hosanna” with the crowds. You were overjoyed at seeing Jesus. But as the events of the week went on, you were stunned how the reactions to Jesus had changed. In utter disbelief you learned that Jesus had been sentenced to death. How could this be happening? You were there and watched them crucify your Lord. The pain is still so great you shudder and weep. And now, now, they have taken his body. You lean over to look in the empty tomb. You are stunned by what you see, two angels seated where Jesus’ body had been. They ask you why you are crying. You answer that they have taken your Lord away and you don’t know where they have put him. You turn and are greeted by whom you think is the gardener. “Why are you crying, who is it you are looking for?” he asks. You tell who you believe is the gardener that if he carried Jesus’ body away to tell you where you have put him, and you will go get him.
And then, then it happens.
Jesus calls you by name. It is Jesus standing before you and he is calling you by name.
Hearing Jesus voice you see, know and feel his great love for you. You are amazed at how full of peace you are. Jesus assures you of his great love for you, that you are his beloved and he is well pleased with you. He assures you of his forgiveness, his grace, his mercy. Spend a few minutes talking with Jesus, your Risen Savior. What else does He say to you? What do you say to Him? Savor these intimate moments with Him and journal your conversation.
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