And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

A common internet trend is videos of people being surprised with big news. Whether it is a pregnancy announcement or marriage proposal, it is compelling and inspiring to watch people be completely caught off guard by something so exciting. The women who came to the tomb in today’s passage had a major surprise that none of them saw coming. Still in the cloud of grief and sorrow of Jesus’s death, they were greeted with news of the resurrection. This news was so unexpected, their first instinct was fear over rejoicing.

But this was not just a passing moment, this news still impacts us today, thousands of years later. It is still shocking, amazing, and incredible. The news of the resurrection changes lives every day as the most epic surprise of history. Too often we only recognize the impact of this news on specific days we celebrate such as Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas. The news of the resurrection doesn’t just impact certain days on the calendar; it changes how we live and spend eternity! As followers of Christ, the hope we hold throughout our lives is due to the resurrection. Paul emphasized this reality in 1 Corinthians 15:19-22, “If we have hoped in Christ only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied. But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” Our post-Easter life does not have to go back to our old ways and routines. We can remember the new purpose and life we have in Christ and live in that freedom and hope every day.

• How has the resurrection impacted your daily life?
• How can you remember the resurrection throughout the year? Why is this important?
• Pray and praise God for the hope of the resurrection.