4/23                 Matthew 14:1-11

1 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”  3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip).  4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.”  5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.  6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted.  8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!”   9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.  10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

DISGUST

Don’t be surprised at the level of disgust you might have toward evil.  The king was pure evil.  His life was totally focused on himself.  Remember that the Lord calls us to love one another-to love others as our self.  It is important to also remember that sin is simply putting self first above God’s law and the needs of those around us.  

4/22                 Matthew 28:16

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

ALWAYS

Note this is an important message to us as believers but the basic thrust for us is that Jesus is always with us.  Good or bad Jesus is with us.  Win or lose Jesus is with us.  You will never be without the presence of Jesus as a believer.  Christ has come and He is with us.  

4/21                 Matthew 28:11-15 

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’  14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.”  15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. 

FOOLISHNESS

The foolishness of the world knows no bounds.  One either believes in Jesus or doesn’t.  We cannot cajole folks into believing in Jesus and we don’t need to waste our time with people that are overly critical of others and not serious about their faith.  Our job is to tell the story of our relationship with Jesus.  The Holy Spirit takes that witness and uses it in the lives of those who believe.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and he will always be near you.  

4/20                 Matthew 28:9-10 

And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” 

MEET

JESUS wanted to meet his disciples outside of Jerusalem in Galilee.  They would know the place.  He would be there.  Now you and I can be with Jesus everywhere we are but there are appointments we can make for a specific time each day that will build into our lives an awareness and an excitement about meeting with Him.  He wants to spend time with us.  Begin your time each day with Jesus.  Plan to meet him at the same place and the same time each day.  Prepare for your time with Him.  Plan to listen for what He says.  Jesus is Lord.  You and I have the privilege of spending time with the Lord of the Universe-Jesus.  

4/19                 Matthew 28:8 

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 

JOY

When we can tell others about what has happened to us it should fill us with joy unless maybe we are not filled with the Holy Spirit.  Make sure that you have met Jesus and believe in Him and you will share that word with the World.  Declare the Good News.  God has come for His children.  

4/18                 Matthew 28:7 

And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 

FIRST

The women were the first to tell of the resurrection.  They came, they saw and they obeyed as they ran to tell the disciples.  Remember, we are called to receive the Good News and tell everyone about what has happened to us.  Believe and tell.   

4/17                 Matthew 28:5 

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

FEAR

All of us are fearful creatures because deep in our heart we know that we have a limited time in this world.  The Angels knowing this told the women “Don’t be afraid.”  Jesus tells us that when we come to Him we no longer have to fear.  Our God and Father is in control. 

4/16                 Matthew 28:2-4 

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 

WRONG

The Jewish leadership and their guards were wrong.  They were fighting against God now and they didn’t realize they had made a crucial error-they were not in control, God was.  

4/15                 Matthew 28:1 

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 

NEW

This visit, this event would change the understanding of all the world.  God in the flesh had visited us and died for our sin.  Now He has defeated death and risen from the grave.  Praise God our savior has risen.  

4/14                 Matthew 27:62-66 

The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.  63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”  65Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.”  66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

LIARS

The leadership, the guards all proven to be liars.  They didn’t know what was happening.  Jesus has risen from the grave.