10/04/2023
Easter Monday, 10th April 2023 – the final devotion for this Lent and Easter.
An introduction: Jesus – the resurrection and the life.
A Bible reading: John 11:25-27. Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’
A thought: Interestingly, the hymn below is based on an Old Testament text, from the book of Job. That book is about the nature of suffering, and offers us no easy answers. When Job eventually gets to confront God, God’s reply begins ‘who are you to question my work with your ignorant, empty wisdom?’ But this hymn begins with the suffering of Jesus, our Redeemer, who one was dead, and then leads us a better answer. The hope we have in the risen Christ, who brings joy, who feeds our souls. Suffering is confronted in the risen Jesus, who stands with us. And, for me, resurrection is meant to be something we can experience in this life, as all that brings death in whatever form is challenged and confronted. Jesus is indeed the resurrection and the life.
A hymn:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
What joy the blest assurance gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
he lives, my everlasting head!
He lives, to bless me with his love;
he lives, to plead for me above;
he lives, my hungry soul to feed;
he lives, to help in time of need.
He lives, and grants me daily breath;
he lives, and I shall conquer death:
he lives, my mansion to prepare;
he lives, to lead me safely there.
He lives, all glory to his name;
he lives, my Saviour still the same;
what joy the blest assurance gives!
I know that my Redeemer lives.
Samuel Medley (1738-1799)
An action: Look out for signs of hope.
A prayer: Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to you, and all ages; to you be glory and power through eery age and for ever. (The Easter Vigil)