The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 9 April 2023 – TOPIC: THE RESURRECTION
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THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE
CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: SUNDAY, APRIL 09, 2023
(Easter Sunday)
TOPIC: THE RESURRECTION
READ: JOHN 20:1-18 (NKJV)
20:1. Now on the first [day] of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw [that] the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
20:2. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
20:3. Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb.
20:4. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
20:5. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying [there;] yet he did not go in.
20:6. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying [there,]
20:7. and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
20:8. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.
20:9. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.
20:10. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
20:11. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down [and looked] into the tomb.
20:12. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
20:13. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
20:14. Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing [there,] and did not know that it was Jesus.
20:15. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
20:16. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
20:17. Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and [to] My God and your God.’ “
20:18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and [that] He had spoken these things to her.
THE MESSAGE:
The resurrection reality and its centrality in the Christian faith is the basis of our yearly Easter celebration. Mary Magdalene met an empty tomb, and ran back and told Peter and John her experience (verses 1-2). The two apostles confirmed her story at the tomb (verses 3-7). Such experiences helped to shape their faith and ministry, making Peter to declare, “We were eye witnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). John also declared “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, seen with our eyes…” (1 John 1:1). Surely, the resurrection of Jesus is the assurance that our faith rests upon solid spiritual and physical foundations!
Learn from Mary’s persistence. While the apostles who were close to Jesus went back to their homes, Mary stayed near the tomb. This teaches that our spiritual level with God should not be limited by negative behaviours of other Christians who might be leaders. Mary was not also satisfied with seeing angels inside the tomb, unlike some today who are satisfied with only the supernatural encounters they have with pastors and preachers. She demonstrated great love even when Jesus was ‘not there to see or reward her’. Yet, Jesus saw her love and persistence. Beloved, persist in waiting in His presence every day and He will lead you into higher spiritual dimensions with messages for your generation!
PRAYER: O risen Lord, may we prepare ourselves to rise with You on the resurrection day
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