After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
—Matthew 28:1-10

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:36-49

~~~~~

Good Morning
By Jennifer Kane

What a good morning—
gloriously bright,
hope breaking over the rooftops of Jerusalem.
Grave-clothes folded like a finished story,
the tomb no longer dark,
but filled with light.
Angels speak—
not in fear,
but in triumph:
He is risen.

God’s plan,
etched in love,
carried through pain,
sealed in sacrifice—
fulfilled
in the risen Christ,
the Son of Man now glorified.

See Mary,
weeping, wondering,
“Where have they laid Him?”
Sorrow turns,
and a voice—a name—
Mary
spoken by the One she loves.
The Master lives.
He calls still.
Through time and grief,
He speaks peace,
stirs hope,
breathes life.

And that voice
will echo until He comes again.

He is one with the Father,
the Ancient of Days,
and through the Spirit,
faith awakens,
sure and shining.

To the risen King—
honor, blessing,
glory, praise.
He wears the crown.
He holds the keys.

We are raised with Him.
Death defeated.
Love victorious.
Christ—conqueror of the grave.
And we shall reign with Him,
for He lives.
Christ is risen from the dead.

~~~~~

Scriptures: Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:36-49

After the long silence of Saturday—the quiet mourning, the dashed hopes, the stillness of death—came a morning that changed everything.

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week…” (Matthew 28:1)

What a good morning it was. Not just because the sun rose, but because the Son rose—just as He said. The tomb was no longer a place of finality but a doorway to victory. Grave-clothes lay folded, a heavenly messenger spoke, and fear gave way to joy.

Mary Magdalene and the other women were the first to receive the news: “He is not here; he has risen.”
And in a moment of wonder, they saw Him. Heard Him. Touched Him.
“Greetings,” Jesus said—like a gentle “Good morning” to a world that had only known night.

Later, in Luke’s account, Jesus came to His disciples, not with thunder, but with peace: “Peace be with you.”
He showed them His scars. He ate with them. He opened their minds to the truth they had missed—and the mission that awaited them.

This is not just the disciples’ story. It’s ours. Jesus still speaks. He still calls our name. The Resurrection isn’t just a past event—it’s a living truth. Every morning since has been changed by the light of that dawn.

As you greet this Easter morning, pause and let the truth sink in:
Jesus is alive.
Death is defeated.
Peace is offered.
The call is clear.
Will you answer Him today with worship, with witness, and with wonder?

~~~~~

Risen Savior, Thank You for that first Easter morning, when hope broke through the darkness. You called Mary by name—and You call me, too. Help me to walk in Your peace, to bear witness to Your victory, and to rise each day with the joy that comes from knowing: Christ is risen indeed. Amen.

April 20 2025