The Power

The Power

Matthew 28:1-4, NLT

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Mark 16:5-7, NLT

When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

Setting the Scene

After the Crucifixion, the women had returned to their homes to keep the Sabbath as the law required (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday). Anointing a body was a sign of devotion and respect, and bringing spices to the tomb would be like bringing flowers to a grave today. Since Jesus had been buried so rapidly after his death, the women had been unable to perform the anointing before his burial. They were determined to get to the burial site with their spices and perfumes.

Before the women arrived, however, another supernatural event took place—a “great earthquake.” Either the earthquake occurred as the angel of the Lord descended or was the means by which the stone was rolled away from the tomb’s entrance. The stone was not rolled back so Jesus could get out but so others could get in and see that Jesus had risen.

The Resurrection was a display of God’s mighty power. Because we believe in God, we shouldn’t be too surprised at this. After all, he created all that is (John 1:1-4); he controls the universe and beyond. How could any person or group think they could keep Jesus in the grave? The religious leaders failed to do it; the power of the Roman army and justice system could not hold him; even lack of faith on the part of the disciples couldn’t keep Jesus dead. God’s power to raise Jesus is greater than any power in the universe.

We can trust God’s promises. He is greater than all our problems or infirmities. The Resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and real.

Getting Personal

Jesus demonstrated his power over sin and over death. What does that mean for you personally?

How can you rely on God’s power from day to day?

Often we feel weak and powerless—and we are! But our God is all-powerful. That’s why Paul could proclaim, “He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come” (Ephesians 1:21, NLT).

Talking to God

Bring to the Lord any situations that are currently leaving you feeling weak or powerless. Thank him for the power of his Holy Spirit, and reaffirm your confidence in his sovereignty and goodness.