The Tip of the Iceberg
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written (John 21:25).
As I finish up this last week of the Easter series, I feel a little like John must have felt when he closed the Gospel of John with these words:
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written (John 21:25).
We have only touched the tip of the iceberg of the lives of the women of the resurrection. Let their stories inspire you to follow Jesus and live with confidence on those days when you feel too helpless to know the power of the resurrection.
Join the visible church of Jesus Christ tomorrow by whatever means you can! Soak up the joy of the resurrection and go and tell that Jesus is alive!
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Throughout my growing up years, my father would wake up the older children early on Easter Sunday and tell us to get ready to go to the Easter Sunrise service. My mother typically stayed home with the babies but often, I would find a new pair of nylons (remember those?) outside my bedroom door. There was never a note, but I knew this gift was a symbol of my mother’s love in a time when money was very tight. I don’t remember a lot of sunny sunrises but rather gray, sometimes misty Easter mornings. Though we had no instrumental accompaniment, we sang the great Christian hymns declaring the joy of the resurrection. Later we joined the larger congregation for a jubilant Easter worship service that always included exuberant singing of Up From the Grave He Arose. As you prepare for Easter worship, google the Charles Wesley hymn, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”, turn up the volume and join the women of the resurrection who gladly told others, “He is risen!”
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Charles Wesley 1739
PRAYER
Oh, Father, thank you for this day of glorious victory. Thank you that we not only experience resurrection power when You breathe life into our dead souls, but we can experience that same power in our everyday lives. Alleluia! He is risen!
This ends our Journey to Easter with the Women of the Resurrection.
Easter Day is a perfect time to continue in our Pilgrimage Fueled by Hope. We live in anxious times. There doesn’t seem to be a date where we can step outside and resume our normal lives – or at least what was normal. I have a feeling our normal lives will look much different. Now is a good time to invite friends to subscribe to Daily Treasure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Saturday, 23 April 2022.
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