John 20:1
Memory Verse
Now on the first from the sabbath, Mary the Magdalene came early, while it was still dark, she came to be at the tomb and saw the stone removed out from the tomb (John 20:1).
Three days and three nights have passed since the Jews and Gentiles crucified the Messiah—an innocent man who had done no sin. Even the man who condemned Christ to hang on a cross knew Jesus had done nothing worthy of death (Luke 23:13–15). However, Jesus was not just a man. God the Son wrapped Himself in flesh and fulfilled the promise to David and Israel to bring a King (John 1:14; 2 Samuel 7:12–13). This promise brought to pass the declaration made to Abraham that his seed would be as the stars of the heavens and the sand on the seashore, and that He would possess the gate of His enemies (Genesis 22:17).
But God raised Jesus from the pains of death three days later, on the first day of the week (Acts 2:24). God the Father had promised the Son that His body would not be left in Sheol (Psalm 16:10). Before the sun broke the horizon, the true light—whom men tried to extinguish—shined even brighter, for Jesus was raised from the dead to die no more (Romans 6:9).
As the light of the first day of this new year shines, consider deeply: if you do not yet know the light of Christ, choose today to let the gospel of Christ shine in your heart. Although the god of this age seeks to blind your mind from the truth, the One True God will cause light to shine in the darkness for you. Christ died on behalf of our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:5). Take a step of faith now—believe and you will be saved.
Does the light already shine in your heart? Then live as a luminary among this corrupt and perverted generation, as children of God (Philippians 2:15). Reject the works of darkness and abstain from strong desires that war against the soul (Romans 13:12; 1 Peter 2:11). Christ may come this year to take the Church home. Let us be ready for His appearing by living in a way that reflects the hope we have in His Word, using the rest of our time in the flesh to seek and do God’s will (Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 4:2).