The post resurrection appearances began at the empty tomb. This fact occurs in each of the 4 gospels and 3 of the gospels include the appearance of a heavenly being interacting with the grieving followers of Jesus. Since Jesus had been hastily buried due to the need to have him buried before sundown, as it was the beginning of the Sabbath and no one could be buried on the Sabbath, His body was not properly prepared with spices. It was wrapped but not fully treated. The women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb with spices intending to anoint Jesus’ body. The gospel accounts say it was very early in the morning as they walked and talked on the way to the garden tomb. They were concerned about how they were going to get the stone in front of the tomb removed so they could enter to anoint Jesus’ body. When they arrived this was the scene:
“And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Mark 16:4-8
The angel, who appeared to be a young man, told them not to be afraid as he had good news about Jesus. He encouraged them to look and see that Jesus was not there. He also told them to go and tell the others Jesus had risen and they would see Him again. The women rushed off to tell the disciples. John describes their reactions in John 20:3-8. “So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;”
Can you even imagine their joy, surprise, awe, fear or confusion over experiencing the empty tomb, the angel, the clothes that had been wrapped around Jesus’ body that lay neatly folded? The disciples saw and believed. How about you? Do you see the things God does in your life, the unusual happenings, the providential circumstances that can only be explained as God’s hand? Do these things register with you that God loves and cares for you? God has a plan for your life just as He did for these disciples. He wanted them to encounter the living God, the resurrected Jesus, and experience His transforming power in their lives.
May you encounter the Living Jesus and His transforming power today.
Linda
Moses is reminding the Israelites of God’s favor towards them because they would soon be going into the Promised Land and would be facing certain opposition. “ you shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the
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So when you have those doubts,
Linda
“There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Going up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38
How is God just? God’s justice is perfect. His decisions are always based on His righteous character. God cannot ignore sin because He is holy. It would be unjust to ignore wickedness, rebellion and sin. God is just and does not show favoritism. Every penalty will be fair and right. God does not treat His children as their sins deserve because Jesus suffered the full punishment for our sins. Because God is just and merciful, He will never punish His children for the sins for which Jesus paid on the cross. Anna could see this sacrifice in Jesus’ future that day and knew He was the key to the redemption of all God’s people.
How are you and I affected by God’s justice? We can count on God to always be Holy and intolerant of sin. We can trust that His justice is and has always been perfect as He is unchanging in character and does not show favorites. God is true to His Word and will do as He promised in Scripture. He will be victorious over Satan and Jesus will return again. We have proof of God’s justice. He dealt with our sin through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. Now that our sin has been dealt with, it is over and God’s justice is done! Praise Him for His Justice and keep pointing others to Jesus. Live focused on things with eternal value that glorify God. Cling to God’s promises
in Scripture and pray for those that do not know Jesus as Savior. Do not judge others but leave justice to God. Trust in God’s justice and mercy it is and always will be perfect and always enough.
Jesus said, “ Then he said to them,
Luke 2:25-37 tells us what happened when they came to the temple to present Jesus to the Lord. As you read, consider our Faithful God. God knows and loves each of His own. He will do all He has promised: caring for us, making us strong, forgiving, making us new, protecting and purifying us. From the beginning God had a plan to restore the world, break the power of sin and reveal His plan to us. We know God is faithful because He sent His Son to the cross to keep His promise. He is faithful to himself and His Word. We can trust Him to keep all His promises. Here is what happened when they got to the temple:
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
How do you see Faithful God work in your own life? Do you see His caring for you in life’s circumstances, building you up and making you stronger in faith through the trials you face each day, forgiving your sins, protecting you in body and soul and cleansing you when you confess your sins? Look today for the faithful hand of God in your life. You will be amazed and blessed!
Luke 2:15-20 “
God showed the world their Savior and proclaimed his work on earth even at this humble beginning. God reached down and rescued sinners from the penalty of death and hell that our sin deserves. We cannot save ourselves from sin because we are dead in our sin. God had a plan from eternity past to save His children fully from sin- from the penalty, power and presence of sin. He sent His Son to live the perfect life we cannot live and die in our place for our sin. Savior Jesus took all the punishment for our sin and saves us completely. Romans 5:8 reminds us of God’s motivation for sending His Son and our true condition, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I love the explanation of why and how God did what He did in Titus 3:4-7
doing about the Savior who is Christ the Lord? Am I telling others of His wonderful love, salvation, hope and eternal life? If not, why not? Christ is the reason for this season as His is the message of Hope for all mankind. Spread the word!
also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
out of the elements because God provided what they needed. God is our Provider. God provides for every creature He has made. He feeds the birds and gives us our daily food. We do not have strength or goodness of our own, but God gives it to us generously. He provides a way out of temptation and protects us from evil. God’s greatest provision was sending His Son Jesus. Because He gave us Jesus, we can trust Him for everything else we need.
Here are a few other verses to ponder as you consider God, your provider. Psalm 23 :1 “The
Praise and give thanks to your great Provider. God alone can and does provide what we need physically, emotionally and spiritually. Thank you Jesus!






Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 1:15 “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”