In the Gospel of Matthew 28:1-7 we read, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (3) His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: (4) And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. (5) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. (6) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (7) And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”

 

As dark as the day seemed to be and as discouraged as the disciples were, Sunday made all the
difference. Even though He had told them in advance in Luke 24:7; they did not connect the dots (as we say) when the crisis came.

 

Crucifixion is such an ugly, traumatic event. The shock and the sadness attending it create deep wounds. Death is made all the more real by the entombment of the body. The garden tomb was sealed with a huge stone. Roman guards were posted to secure the situation.   

 

Starting Wednesday night, Thursday was one day, Friday made two, and Saturday, three of the full days and three full nights. These were days of silence and sorrow. Nothing was stirring! It was all over, except coping with the realty. Then Sunday came!

 

Oh, my soul, check it out! Sometime after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday (the Jews counted a day
from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.), the Saviour, crucified and buried, walked out of the tomb alive and
well, resurrected from the dead and released from the grave. Wednesday was incomprehensible! Thursday, Friday and Saturday posed questions which seemed to have no answers! But never mind the critics, the cranks, the naysayers; never mind whoever may mock and jeer; never mind whatever seems impossible. Sunday is forthcoming!

 

When the sun rose Sunday morning, the Son had already risen from the grave. Death had been conquered. Sin had been atoned. Salvation had been secured. The Devil had been defeated, and Hell had been robbed of its victims.            

 

Sunday makes all the difference. Defeat and destruction are no longer our lot. Because "he is
risen…" (Matthew 28:6), you and I have a hope that brings "joy unspeakable and full of glory…" (I Peter 1:8). When the Devil shows up in your life and shows off his glitz and glitter remind him that he is a whipped dog whose bark is bigger than his bite. Preach to yourself the great truth that "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4). Stand up, be counted, and rise above the fray! By faith we have everlasting life that is bestowed upon us when we are "begotten … again" (I Pet. 1:3). The other six days may bring all kinds of stress or burdens to you, but because of the triumphant resurrection of Jesus, don't you forget that Sunday is coming! Amen!

 

May again your heart be enraptured during this Passion week! Take this time leading up to the RESSURRECTION to prayerfully read and meditate on the message entitled “The Impact of the Resurrection.”