Today is April 12.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.    
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 28.
 

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 
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 and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” 
 

Matthew tells us that the women were afraid, yet filled with joy. All hope had been lost on Silent Saturday, and here they are: amazed. Terrified. Ecstatic. Can you imagine yourself, sitting with the Mary’s? It’s early, and there’s a chill in the air. The ground is wet with dew. There’s just a bit of light in the sky. You’re terrified. You’ve put all your chips on this Jesus. He valued you, as a woman, like no one you’d ever met. He’d treated you with dignity, like an honored sister. Your hopes were crushed when he breathed his last breath. You’ve no idea what to do next. Can you enter into that picture? 
   
Isn’t it interesting that the angel of the lord appeared to two marginalized women? And the resurrected Jesus did too? Women were devalued in that culture, not counted as legal witnesses. No one would believe a woman, and no one would be expected to. I love that God works this way: he’s unexpected, he’s interruptive, he throws things upside down. It’s not only miraculous that Jesus appeared to two women first, it’s ironic. Almost snarky. It’s like God saying to the world, to culture, to natural law: see. I don’t have to do it your way. I can defeat death. I can honor those who you dishonor. I can lead by serving. I can be first, by being last. Through death... I can bring all the world to life. As you listen again, consider this upside-down nature of the kingdom of God.  
   
I love the word ‘suddenly’ in vs 9. Isn't’ that so often how Jesus comes to us? When we’re least expecting Him. Maybe even when we’re not even looking, or when we’ve given up hope? Do you know someone who’s given up hope for finding Jesus. Pray the word ‘suddenly’ over them today and ask God to intersect their life with the upside-down amazingness of His kingdom.

Lord God, Almighty and Everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with Your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of Your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.    
 
Music: Eden - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)