Day 29 — He Is Risen!

“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.’”

— Matthew 28:5–6 (BSB)

After Jesus died, His friends took His body down from the cross and laid it in a tomb carved out of rock. A huge stone was rolled across the entrance. Soldiers were even sent to guard it, to make sure no one could steal the body.

For Jesus’ followers, Saturday must have been the darkest, saddest day of their lives. Their friend, their teacher, the one they believed was the King, was dead. They were scared and confused. It seemed like everything was over.

But early on Sunday morning, at dawn, two women named Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled back the stone and sat on it. He shone like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so terrified that they shook and fell down like dead men.

The women must have been terrified too. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.”

The tomb was empty!

Notice the words “just as He said.” Jesus had told His disciples many times that He would die and rise again on the third day. They hadn’t understood. But everything happened exactly the way Jesus said it would. Jesus always keeps His word.

The angel told the women to go quickly and tell the disciples. So they ran, “in fear and great joy.” And on the way, Jesus Himself met them! They fell at His feet and worshiped Him.

This is the most important event in history. If Jesus had stayed dead, He would just be another good teacher who died. But He rose! That proves He is the Son of God. It proves that His death really paid for our sins. And it proves that death has been beaten. Because He lives, everyone who trusts Him will live too.

That’s why Christians celebrate Easter. It’s the best news ever.

Think about it: The angel said Jesus rose “just as He said.” Why does it matter that Jesus always keeps His word?

Try this: The women ran to tell others. Tell someone today, “Jesus is alive!” If they ask why that matters, tell them what you learned today.

Dear Jesus, You are alive! You rose from the dead just as You said. Thank You that You beat sin and death. Thank You that because You live, I can live forever with You. Fill me with joy like the women at the tomb, and help me tell others. In Your name, Amen.