The Upper Room 31 March 2024 Devotional: Easter Sunday

THE UPPER ROOM 31 MARCH 2024 DEVOTIONAL, SUNDAY MESSAGE

TOPIC: Easter Sunday

TODAY’S READING
Matthew 28:1-10

1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.

5 But 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, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead,[b] and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.”

8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

KEY VERSE: After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. – Matthew 28:1 (NRSVUE)

TODAY’S MESSAGE:
Now that I am retired, I have the chance to observe nature more closely as part of my morning routine. At sunrise in the Sonoran Desert of the southwest United States, I’ve observed lizards warming themselves on rocks so they can start their days with speed and agility. I’ve observed buzzards perched on tall saguaro cacti to warm their wings before they soar overhead. I’ve watched my old dog nap in the warmth of the morning sun to soothe his stiff joints.

When I read today’s scripture passage, I ask myself, “What motivated these women to venture out at dawn to anoint the broken body of the crucified Jesus?” I believe these faithful women were driven to action not only by Jewish custom but also by the promise of the resurrected Christ and the hope that is offered in the sunrise of the new day.

Many congregations around the world celebrate Easter morning with a sunrise service of worship — a celebration of our belief in the risen Messiah. So, in addition to warmth and comfort, the sunrise also offers us hope. We join together with other Christians with a shout of “He Is Risen!” and embrace the hope that is offered with each new sunrise.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Resurrecting God, thank you for the sunrise of Easter morning. Strengthen our faith so that we are able to meet each new sunrise with the hope offered by our risen Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There is hope in the sunrise of each new day.

PRAYER FOCUS
Those seeking new hope

The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.