Week: Holy Week
And so we start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
On Good Friday, Jesus died on the cross. His body was placed in a cave-like tomb, and a huge rock was rolled into the entrance to seal it shut. But on Sunday, something extraordinary happened. Let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s Bible verses, taken from the final chapter of Matthew’s Gospel.
Read by Max
Matthew 28:1-6
The day after the Sabbath day was the first day of the week. At dawn on the first day, Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary went to look at the tomb. At that time there was a strong earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, went to the tomb, and rolled the stone away from the entrance. Then he sat on the stone. He was shining as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The soldiers guarding the tomb shook with fear because of the angel, and they became like dead men. The angel said to the women, ‘Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here. He has risen from the dead as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was.’
Matthew 28:1-6 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s verses?
The women went to the tomb early in the morning, at the start of a new week and the start of a new day.
Father God, with the rising of the sun on that first Easter You made all things new. Jesus, thank you for making a new way for us to be with God through Your death and resurrection.
The angel said to the two Marys, ‘I know that you are looking for Jesus.’
Lord Jesus, we want to be like these women. We want to look for You everyday and find You in our own lives, in the lives of others, and in some surprising places too. Thank You for opening our eyes and surprising us with Your love every day.
The angel declared, ‘He is risen from the dead’
And so, Holy Spirit, come and fill us today with the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus, You are ALIVE! And You are alive in us!
Let’s press pause and talk about our Sabbath question which is: As our week comes to an end, what are we thankful for from this week? It might be something big or small!
As we finish our time together, let’s say this week’s amazing memory verse one last time:
Read by Max
John 3:16
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
May this Sabbath bring rest and joy to our hearts and our homes.
May today be a little less go, go, go, and a little more slow… slow… slow…
May we care less about things, and care more for people.
As we relax in God’s love, may we take time to listen and remember that we are all God’s children.
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, daughter and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Max lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
