Matthew 28:6–7  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.

Matthew 27:62-65 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

What parts of Easter do you anticipate?
How can you prepare your heart for worship tomorrow?

Pray for clean hands and a pure heart as you celebrate Easter.

E-devotion by Matt Haste (Adult Discipleship Pastor)
Today’s passage records some interesting details about the attempts of Jesus’ adversaries to squash any rumors about the resurrection before it even happened. Needless to say, this plan failed miserably. They hoped that they would guard the public from falling for the next “fraud” of Jesus and His disciples. Instead, their greatest efforts were futile and amounted to nothing more than an inconsequential detail in the grand story that God was unfolding.

Two thousand years later, all around the world, people are preparing themselves to celebrate Easter tomorrow morning.  Families will gather together. Children will sing songs. Adults will lift their hands. Pastors will preach and churches will celebrate. The anticipation is mounting. All because the greatest event in the history of the world really did happen! The tomb was closely guarded. His opponents were strategizing against Him. And yet, “He arose!” Praise God for giving Jesus the power of an indestructible life and for giving us the opportunity to celebrate His resurrection tomorrow morning. Don’t forget to pray for your friends to join you tomorrow as well. Pray that tomorrow would be the day of their salvation.