Below is a liturgy you can use as a personal devotion or in household worship with your family or a few friends and neighbors. The elders are praying for you and look forward to gathering again very soon.
New City Catechism • Question 50
Question • What does Christ’s resurrection mean for us?
Answer • Christ triumphed over sin and death by being physically resurrected, so that all who trust in him are raised to new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come. Just as we will one day be resurrected, so this world will one day be restored. But those who do not trust in Christ will be raised to everlasting death
A brief teaching for the following passage can be found by clicking the button below.
Luke 24:1-12 · ESV
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.
Reflection and Discussion
The women who arrived at the tomb at early dawn on the first Easter morning were seeking Jesus because of His care for them.
What motivates you to seek Jesus?
How has Jesus demonstrated care for you?
When the women arrived at the tomb, they expected a barrier to come between them and honoring Jesus, but the barrier had been removed by the resurrection of Jesus.
What are some barriers that may prevent you from honoring Jesus?
How might the resurrection remove those barriers?
The angels who appeared at the tomb asked the women a very important question that we should ask ourselves, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
In what ways have you sought eternal life among temporary things?
How has a clinging to your own sense of strength left you in despair?
What are some ways you can make Easter a celebration of what Christ has done instead of a demonstration of what you can do?
The response to the news of the women varied. Some thought it was an idle tale, but Peter rose, ran, and marveled at what he witnessed.
What is your response to the empty tomb?
How will you look for life among the living?
How will you declare life and hope to those who are spiritually dead?
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Father God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to be your presence with us. Thank you that He removes the barriers that keep us from a close relationship with you and with one another. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be your continued presence with us. Thank you that His power in our lives frees us from the despair of looking for the living among the dead. God be with us, until we meet again (in person)! Amen.