“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.’” Matthew 28:5-7 (NIV)

This year, I want to let the reality of Easter reach beyond just one Sunday. I desperately need the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice to settle in to the deepest places of my heart. I don’t know what hard realities you’ve been facing lately, but I have a suspicion that maybe you can relate to this same sense of desperation.

I know what glorious things this Holy Day says to the world at large.

But what does Jesus want me to know, to think about, to wrestle through at this time of year? This season of new beginnings. Of resurrection. Of healing.

So, I'm asking the Lord to specifically reveal and heal things within me in these days leading up to Easter.

After all, Easter is no longer a ritual to me. It's a revelation. A time where Jesus splits my soul along the fault line of a scar deep within to bring dead things alive. Places where there’s been a wounding but not yet a full healing. Places where I’m not living fully alive in Christ.

But first, I must take time to ask Jesus to reveal what needs to be resurrected within my heart this year.

Is it a more passionate intentionality to replace complacency that can so easily creep in to my Scripture study and prayer time?

Is it a deeper sense of trust in God to replace fear that holds me back and sometimes holds me hostage?

Is it forgiving someone who’s hurt me deeply but has never recognized they did so?

This is why I must look to Jesus. Because to Jesus ... I was loved so much that He gave His life for me. It feels so personal. Even though I know God so loved the world that He gave His Son, it becomes very individual if we let it.

Be personal.

With Jesus.

Yes.

So, let’s take a moment to sit with Him.

I keep my Bible open to the place where the angel spoke to the women at the tomb. And I tangle my thoughts around His words from Matthew 28:5-7, as these 6 prayers emerge …

• "Do not be afraid," — Dear God, I hand over to You those things that make me so afraid. Resurrect the parts of my faith that are squelched by fear.
 
• "I know that you are looking for Jesus," — God, when my soul is searching, may I know that the answer to every longing is found in You.
 
• "He has risen," — God, the fact that Jesus is risen should lift my head, my heart and my attitude. Help me live today as if I really believe this with every part of my life.
 
• "just as he said," — Dear Jesus, You keep Your promises. Show me how to live as though I believe that with every part of me. Help me trust You more, obey You more and resemble You more.
 
• "Come and see," — Jesus, You had the angels invite the women in to see for themselves that You had risen. You invite me into these personal revelations every day. Forgive me for sometimes rushing about and forgetting to come and see for myself … You, Your Word, Your insights.
 
• "Then go quickly and tell his disciples," — Jesus, I don’t want to be a secret-keeper with my faith. I want to be a bold and gracious truth-proclaimer. For You. With You. Because of You. Me, the girl whom You loved and redeemed.
 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Yes, let this miraculous Easter be personal, prayerful, powerful for our hearts.

Dear Lord, I want to let Your Truth sink deep down into my heart and soul today. Help me stay focused on You. And I pray for the many who will understand for the first time this Easter Sunday that You are risen. Wash over every soul with fresh hope and overwhelming joy. Bring new life as only You can. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

1 John 3:16a, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." (NIV)

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