28 March 2016 - ain't no grave

[ Today's Readings ]

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce the news to his disciples.

Help us to announce the news of your resurrection, Jesus. We go forth from Easter fearful and yet overjoyed. But there is no more need to fear. Death is defeated. If we don't even need to fear death what else is there to fear?

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery (see Hebrews 2:14-15).

Jesus, you know that we're still afraid. Even though we see you freed from death's power. Even though we see the promise of eternal peace and lasting joy before our eyes we still fear temporary and transitory things. Meet us on our way, LORD, and make us fearless.

And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, 
and there they will see me.”

There may be opposition. The chief priests and elders may even be openly hostile to the truth of your resurrection. But we need not fear. You are our portion and cup. You keep our souls safe from those who can even kill our bodies. You do not abandon our souls to the nether world. Even our bodies abide in confidence because we know that any power which this fallen world has over them is temporary. Any corruption will ultimately be reversed. Even death will yield to the life, to "the fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever."

Jesus, it is impossible for you to be held by death. In you, it is impossible for death to hold us down. It can't stop us from living for you in radical love. Reveal your resurrection more deeply to us today.

God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses.
Exalted at the right hand of God,
he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit 
that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.

Or the Newsboys version..