 Matthew 28:1-10 Jesus Has Risen 28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 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. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 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.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” ReflectJesus’ resurrection wasn’t meant to be kept a secret. He told Mary Magdalene to go and tell the disciples. He commanded His followers to share the good news. We, too, are called to spread His love and hope. The world is filled with people who are searching for meaning, for joy, for something greater than themselves. The good news of Easter is that Jesus is alive, and that changes everything!
Action Step: Share the hope of Easter with someone today. This could be through a conversation, a message, a social media post, or even through the way you live. Ask God to give you boldness and an opportunity to speak about His goodness.
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 John 21:15-17 Jesus Reinstates Peter15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ReflectAfter Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus lovingly restored him by asking, “Do you love me?” three times. Each time, Peter responded, “Yes, Lord,” and Jesus gave him a mission: “Feed my sheep.” Jesus doesn’t just call us to believe in Him—He calls us to act in love. Loving Jesus means living out that love in how we treat others.
Action Step: Show your love for Jesus today through an act of kindness. Reach out to someone in need, encourage a friend, or serve in a way that reflects Christ’s love. Let your actions answer His question: “Do you love me?”  John 21:1-14 Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish 21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fireof burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. ReflectAfter the resurrection, Jesus met His disciples on the shore and cooked breakfast for them. In this simple act, He reminded them of His love and care. He meets us in our ordinary routines and provides for our needs, even when we don’t recognize Him at first. Just as He called His disciples to sit and eat with Him, He invites us to slow down and spend time in His presence.
Action Step: Set aside intentional time today to be with Jesus—whether through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply sitting in silence with Him. As you eat a meal, reflect on His provision in your life and thank Him for sustaining you.  John 20:19-21 Jesus Appears to His Disciples 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ReflectWhen Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, His first words were: "Peace be with you." They had been hiding in fear, uncertain of what would happen next. But Jesus brought them peace—not just the absence of trouble, but the deep assurance that He was with them. In a world full of stress, fear, and uncertainty, Jesus offers us the same peace today.
Action Step: Identify one source of anxiety in your life and surrender it to God. Write it down, pray over it, and then take a tangible step toward trusting Him—whether that means seeking reconciliation, letting go of control, or speaking words of peace into a tense situation.  Luke 24:13-35 On the Road to Emmaus13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. ReflectOn the road to Emmaus, two disciples walked and talked with Jesus, but they didn’t recognize Him until He broke bread with them. How often do we miss Christ in our daily lives? We may be so caught up in our problems, our schedules, or our worries that we don’t see Him walking beside us. Yet He is always present, teaching, guiding, and revealing Himself in ordinary moments.
Action Step: Slow down and intentionally look for Jesus today. As you go through your day, pause and ask, “Where is Christ in this moment?” Whether in a conversation, a small blessing, or an answered prayer, acknowledge His presence and thank Him for walking with you.  John 20:1-9 The Empty Tomb20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) John 20:24-29 Jesus Appears to Thomas24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ReflectThe empty tomb is the foundation of our faith, yet even the disciples struggled to believe. When Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb, she assumed someone had taken Jesus' body. Thomas refused to believe until he saw Jesus for himself. Sometimes, we experience seasons of doubt, questioning God’s presence in our lives. Yet Jesus meets us in our uncertainty, offering proof of His love and inviting us to trust Him.
Action Step: Bring your doubts to God in prayer today. Ask Him to strengthen your faith, and then take a step forward—whether that means reading His Word, speaking with a mentor, or simply choosing to trust Him in an area where you feel uncertain. |
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