He is not here!

The resurrection appearance of Jesus to some women, especially Mary Magdalene is recorded in all the four Gospels. It is a very compelling narrative. John's Gospel says that Mary stood outside the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb (John 20:11-18). She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. When the angels asked her why she was weeping

Mary said it was because she could not find the body of Jesus! Matthew, Mark, and Luke record that the Angelic announcement, "He is not here; He is risen." John draws our attention to Jesus standing beside Mary, but she did not see Him. Only when Jesus called her name, she recognized Jesus! Mary expected to see a dead body. She was so focused on the place where the body of Jesus had lain that she missed noticing the resurrected Lord Jesus! The disciples walking on the Emmaus road also did not recognize Jesus when He joined them because they were consumed by the traumatic events of the last few days!

Sometimes, we are so focused on the problems that we fail to feel the presence of the risen Lord with us! When the dead things in our life occupy our thoughts always, we fail to recognize Jesus Himself walking with us! When our thoughts are filled with past failures, we fail to see the power of resurrection available to us to be overcomers! Today we are called to look at the resurrected Lord Jesus for He has borne our sin and shame on the Cross and has emerged victorious!

No power on Earth

Not even the grave

Could separate us from mercy and grace.

He is faithful to save, oh His blood never fails

Calvary covers it all.

Calvary covers it all

My sin and shame, don't count anymore

All praise to the One who has ransomed my soul

Calvary covers it all. (Song "Calvary" from Hillsong Worship)

My friend, what is it that is burdening you today. Bring it to Jesus. There is no problem that He cannot solve. There is no sin that He cannot forgive! There is no situation that He cannot change! The Lord is risen! He has promised to walk with us every day of our lives! Believe and be blessed.

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 1st May 2019 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 1st May 2019

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