On "Opening Day" in Major League Baseball, every team took the field! This time of year, fans and players are filled with optimism about the new season and the fresh start that every team gets.
Many players are making their debut on different teams and others are taking the field for the first time since an injury. There is great anticipation about the upcoming season as we wonder how many games the Dodgers will win…what the return of fans will be like…and how well the young stars across the league will perform.
Opening Day is special for players and fans because it represents hope for a season that's filled with home runs, diving catches, dynamic pitches, and fun nights at the ballpark.
For followers of Jesus, this Easter Sunday is the ultimate “Opening Day” as we celebrate Jesus walking out of the OPEN tomb…ALIVE!
In the book of Luke, we're told His followers went to the place where Jesus was buried after his death on the cross but it was empty.
Verses 1-3 in chapter 24 explain, “But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.”
Verse 12 in chapter 24 says, “But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.”
Matthew 28:5-6 (NLT) tells us what an angel of the Lord said to the women who came to the tomb: "'Don’t be afraid!' he said. 'I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.'"
The open tomb was the result of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This “Opening Day” was the start of something new, and continues to give us tremendous hope and optimism for this season of life and the next.
Billy Graham put it this way: “For the believer, there is hope beyond the grave because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.”
We should be encouraged that the open tomb represents God’s power and love, and we now have the following:
An open invitation to receive salvation and eternal life.
Open arms to run to when we need comfort.
Open communication between us and the God of the universe.
Open eyes to see Him for who He really is.
Open souls that can be filled with His loving Spirit.
Open doors to walk through as we follow Jesus each day.
Today, let’s open our hearts and minds to receive all that God has to give us. With open hands, let’s praise God for the fresh start we’re given because of "Opening Day!"
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank you for making salvation open and available to me. I’m so grateful for the grace, power, and love that was demonstrated through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Help me to recognize the access I now have because of the open tomb. I pray this in Jesus’ wonderful name, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What does the open tomb mean to you?
In what ways do you need to be more open to what God has for you?
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