Easter Sunday devotional, 3/31/13
Sometimes women have a hard time realizing how special we are. We may have low self esteem for many different reasons. Perhaps we were told over and over in childhood, or even as adults, that we don't matter, that we are no good, or that no one wants us. Sometimes it is subtle, like when we are overlooked repeatedly for our accomplishments, or when we are ignored in a social situation. We sometimes tell ourselves we are not important, as we have been falsely taught that is what humility is all about.
But God has other ideas. He has shown over and over how special women are to him. The Bible tells us that Adam was given a help mate, woman. God's Word also speaks of women as poets, as prophetesses, and as good and faithful followers. The Christmas story tells us that God came into the world through a woman only. Even the Easter story shows the importance of women:
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. Luke 24:1-10 NIV
The women were the first to discover the empty tomb and be greeted by 2 angels. They became messengers to the disciples of the great news that Jesus was raised from the dead. How significant that role was! And we continue to each hold a special place in God's heart, so much so that he died and rose again for each and every person on earth!
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, who gave your only Son to die for us. Thank you for all your wonderful gifts of love to me. Help me to remember that I am special in your eyes and that I have important roles to fulfill here on earth for you. Give me the wisdom to know what those things are and the strength to carry them out. In the name of our risen Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
written by Jan Andersen
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