1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
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16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:1-10,16-20 (ESV)

He is Risen!

He is risen! Such a simple declaration of a profound reality. Jesus is not dead; He has risen!

Jesus' most devoted followers still didn't realize what had happened. The two Marys went to His tomb fully expecting to find Jesus' body. They went intending to anoint His body with spices. (Mark 16:1) But when they arrived at the tomb they instead were met by an angel of the Lord who announced the great triumph: "...you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen." (Matt 28:5-6) Jesus was alive! He had risen! This day declares, including the chief priests and Pharisees, He is indeed the son of David, the Son of God, the Messiah. (Rom 1:4)

This day changes everything! Once all were condemned by their sin. Now, all who place their faith in Jesus, in who He is, in His death, in His resurrection no longer stand before God condemned by their sin but stand before God considered righteous because of the death of Christ. (Rom 4:22-25; 8:1)  Once dead in their trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1), all who place their faith in Christ now are made alive (Eph 2:4-5) not because of any work that they do but because of the grace of God. (Eph 2:5-7) This is the great exchange! Our sin brings to Christ death. Christ's death brings to us our life.

And so how should we respond? Worship Him (Matt 28:9,17)! Proclaim Him! (Matt 28:19) Follow Him! (Matt 28:20)

For He is risen! He is risen indeed!