Monday Devotional

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Welcome to Empty Cross Ministries Devotional Time. I am Brother David and will lead this devotional time with some scripture and devotional thoughts. If you have wine or grape juice and some bread, preferably unleavend bread, this would be a good time to partake of Holy Communion.

What were the days following Jesus’ resurrection like for the first disciples?

Jesus had died, and he was dead no longer. Just as He promised, He had overcome death, the last enemy. But what did it all mean?

Surely, it took time for them to fully comprehend the whirlwind of events that had taken place the previous week. Before He returned to his Father, Jesus helped His followers to realize some of the implications. (Lk. 24:27)

Luke 24:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

His death and resurrection were no aberration in God’s plan. They WERE the plan. (Lk. 24:26)

Luke 24:26 King James Version (KJV)

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

God had accepted Jesus’ payment for the sins of His people. Animal sacrifices  were no longer necessary. (1 Cor. 15:17)

1 Corinthians 15:17 King James Version (KJV)

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Jesus’ resurrection assured us that those He had redeemed would also receive glorified bodies on the last day. (1 Cor. 15:20)

1 Corinthians 15:20 King James Version (KJV)

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

His defeat of the grave anticipated the time when all of creation would be “set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21)

Romans 8:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, as with many biblical doctrines, has both an objective and a subjective element. Both are important. Theology (study) must be married to doxology (praise). Notwithstanding recurring attempts to disprove the bodily resurrection of Jesus, it remains an undeniable truth and essential element of biblical Christianity. However, it is not merely history that we dissect, study, and discuss. It is meant to change our lives.

Many people will move on from Easter Sunday to an ordinary Monday, unaware of the significance of all they heard about the previous day. They’ll continue to fight sin in their own strength, think the meaning of life lies somewhere outside God’s provision in Christ, and battle a nagging fear of death. The resurrection will fade into the white noise of their lives, making no discernible impact.

Let’s not make the same mistake.

There is a song written by Kevin Hartnett,that helps express both the truth of the resurrection and our response to it. I am not going to sing it, but I am going to read it!

He Is Risen From the Dead

Verse 1
Spread the glad truth far and wide
Christ once dead is now alive
God the Son nailed to a cross
Rose from death to save the lost
For men He was crucified
Wrath for sins there satisfied
“Do not fear” the angels said
“He is risen from the dead!”

Chorus
He is risen! Hail our living head
He is risen! Grace unmerited
He is risen! Let the news be spread
Christ is risen from the dead!

Verse 2
O the wonder of this fact
We’re included in His act
Death in Christ marked Sin’s demise
Joined with Him, we now arise
Debt to carnal life is through
Spirit-born we’re creatures new
Jesus conquered in our stead
“He is risen from the dead!”

Verse 3
Where, O death, now is your sting
Christ triumphant lives as King
Souls gripped tight in Satan’s grasp
By God’s grace are free at last
Fear has now been taken slave
Christ is Master o’er the grave
Hopeless tears no longer shed
“He is risen from the dead!”

“Souls gripped tight in Satan’s grasp by God’s grace are free at last.” Let the reality of our Savior’s empty tomb fill you with great joy, hope, and peace today. And every day.

Now if you have the bread and juice lets all partake of the Lord’s Supper together.

Jesus took the bread, blessed it and broke and said, “This is my body, broken for you, take and eat”

Jesus then took the cup and said, “This is the blood of the New Covenant, shed for the remission of sin, drink ye all of it.”

This concludes our devotional time. Tune in here on Spreaker on Wednesday for our Wednseday Bible Study. We are currently doing a study on the book of Genesis. Also check out our website at: www.emptycrossministries.com and check out our FaceBook page at: https://www.facebook.com/emptycrossministries/

Stay safe, It blessed, stay in the Word and write the Word upon you heart!