Opening Prayer
O God, confirm our hope of resurrection in Christ’s resurrection. Amen.
Text: John 20:1–10
On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 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.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
Devotion
The stone is rolled away and the grave is open. The Lord is gone, the linen cloths remain, and the handkerchief is folded together in a place by itself. Can this be the work of the enemies, who robbed it, and how could the hands of friends have taken Him away? – The grave is no longer a house of death, only the trappings of death remain in the grave. This is Jesus’ grave, but Jesus’ grave is my grave. For whose sin did He die? Himself, He has no sin. Surely it is our sin. So then it is our death He died, but then it is also our grave in which He is buried. Does anyone doubt that it was as Mary, Peter, and John saw it: that the grave was empty? There is no question about it. But who would have opened the grave and taken Him away? The disciples couldn’t do it, for the watch had been set and the stone had been sealed. And besides, it would never have occurred to them, for they didn’t think He would rise again. O no, we are blessed and saved because this happened: He is risen, the grave is burst, for the price of sin is paid, and death destroyed by life. The Scriptures are right and so is Jesus Himself who said that He would rise the third day. Now, to be sure, my grave still looks like an abode of death. There is a coffin and death clothes and shroud, yes, for a time my body was still there, but my Jesus, who lay in the grave and rose again, said: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (Joh 11:25). I see in His open and empty tomb that it is true. My heart lives in Jesus. I could say I feel that the life He gave within me is eternal life and cannot die. But what is even more certain and more sure, yes a thousand times more certain than everything else, is His Word: “I shall arise and you with Me, because I live, you will live also” (Joh 14:19).
Closing Prayer
“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psa 16:11). Grant me grace to believe. Grant me the Spirit’s light to believe in heart and in deed. Amen.
Hymn
Death, thou art no more king;
Thy sword hath lost its sting,
However hell doth wrangle,
And Satan tries to strangle!
Thy glory’s lost forever.
The Lord’s name praise forever.
For death I fear no more
Nor earth’s most dreadful store.
My dust Christ will be waking
And me in glory taking
For heaven’s honor ever.
The Lord’s name praise forever.
O Jesus, help me oft
My daily sin put off,
To sing my offertory
Before Thy throne of glory
Eternal thanks then blending
With angels’ song unending.
Kingo: Op Sjæl bryd Søvnen av L 347:9-11 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Auf meinen lieben Gott (ELH 467); alternate hymn: Jesus lives! The victory’s won ELH 353:1.5