Holy Week: Resurrection Sunday
Holy Week is about recognizing the uncommon in the midst of our regular lives. As we get closer to Easter Sunday, let us make this week one where we allow the story of God to bleed into our experiences. There is nothing more regular than eating. So we encourage you to do the daily devotionals during a meal time where the food that you eat can compliment the theme of each day of Holy Week.
Jesus’ life revolved around hospitality. He was often welcomed into people’s homes. In these special, holy moments, people shared space, life, and meals with Jesus the Lord. May we do the same, and allow the regular moments in our lives to be encounters with Jesus as we near Easter Sunday.
Resurrection Sunday: “The Lord’s Welcome”
John 20:10-18
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Psalm 24
The King of Glory
A Psalm of David.24 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah
Devotional
Have you heard the news? Have you felt the warmth in your heart? Jesus is risen, indeed! The ancient gate of death has been blown open. On this Easter Sunday we celebrate the beautiful reversal. In Genesis 3, God comes walking in the garden and Adam and Eve hide due to their shame and sin. But this time, God comes walking through the garden to proclaim victory over death. Jesus approaches Mary who is scared, frightened, crying. He calmly addresses her saying, “Woman why are you weeping?” She did not know it was Jesus talking to him, she instead mistook him to be the gardener (wink wink). But then he called her by name, “Mary.” In that moment she recognized that he was the risen Lord. On this Sunday we celebrate that we are no longer estranged from God but each of us are welcomed by name by our God who fought for us, fully knows us, and loves us.
Food: Your favorite
On this amazing day of the year, we recommend that you eat one of your favorite foods. Maybe this is your favorite snack, dessert, meal, or drink. Whatever it may be, do something to celebrate that Jesus is Risen. Because of this day, every day is a resurrection day.