Daily Devotion-April 16, 2022

Daily Devotion-April 16, 2022

Matthew 12:40

[Jesus said] For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Dear Lord Jesus,

That first Holy Week must have been dismal, your followers thinking all was lost, you were in the grave. They watched your lifeless body, wrapped in its grave-clothes, lay to rest. That mournful Sabaoth as you lay in the tomb, their hearts were broken watching you give up your spirit on that cross. Yet, you told them not to despair; they should have been rejoicing, realizing you kept your word. Ironically, the religious leaders heard what you said to them that you would only be three days in the grave. So they went to Pilate and asked for a guard to seal you in that tomb of the earth. There was no way out, ground all around you, the sealed stone at the entrance, and a Roman guard in place. The guard and seal were to make sure no one could move your body, then accuse your disciples of sleight of hand. As Pilate gave the religious leaders their guard, they made it as secure as possible. Death thought it had you trapped, but you said three days you would be in the tomb; there was nothing for them to fear and nothing for us to fear. On that first Easter morning, the angel opened the tomb not to let you out but to show the world you fulfilled your promise: death could not hold you; that tomb was empty. You defeated death for us; you won our victory, and our sins were paid. That empty tomb means the Father accepted your payment for our sins. Tomorrow, we will once again head to the grave with the women in the early morning hours to remember how you kept your promise to us. Our sins are forgiven, salvation, and eternal life are ours through faith in all you accomplished. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Written through Pastor Roger Emmons

Today, we rest with Jesus!