Scripture Scribbles: April 5, 2026 - The Resurrection of the Lord

the Gospel

Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake;
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was like lightning
and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him
and became like dead men.
Then the angel said to the women in reply,
“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples,
‘He has been raised from the dead,
and he is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him.’
Behold, I have told you.”
Then they went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce this to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”

the scribble

They ran. They ran. Fearful yet overjoyed Mary of Magdala and the other Mary ran.

This little detail lights up the Easter gospel for me. The two Marys took off at full tilt; skirts and mantles flying behind them, hearts and feet pounding, arms pumping, leaping over rocks in the path. I bet their cheeks were streaked with tears. But I bet their cheeks also grew sore on that run from smiling.

This day that seemed marked for death and grief:

“I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified”

had become a day of indescribable hope and joy:

“He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.”

Can you imagine our Lord’s smile when he went to meet his beloved Marys?

Scripture tells us that he greeted them. I imagine he shouted to them, joining in their joy. When they heard his voice and saw him just ahead, maybe they grasped each other’s hands and froze for a moment as they saw him (Alive! Impossible! And yet!) the reality of the resurrection vibrating through their hearts, minds and all of their senses.

Ahhhhh let’s let the fearful joy of this seemingly impossible reality–  He is alive! Death is defeated! Our debts are paid! It is finished! Alleluia! – absolutely electrify us, like Mary and Mary today.

It is a reason to run. To hold nothing back.

Remember that this woman, who we see running like a child overjoyed today, had darkness and pain in her story. Like me. Maybe you, too. So if you are feeling an impulse to dampen, to ratchet down, your response to this life-changing good news, I see you. The Lord sees you. Our hearts have suffered much. We don’t want to be hurt again. 

Scripture tells us Mary and Mary were fearful and overjoyed.

I love that they were both. You and I can be both.

We can run like a child before we know how it’s all going to go.

We can run fearful and overjoyed.

Because look who we are running to! We are running to the faithful resurrected God-man who always meets us on our way.

He has been raised, just as he said.

He finishes the work he begins.

I pray this Easter is one of wildly-unrestrained joy for you. Run with me to share the good news! 

He is risen! Alleluia!

Today’s devotion was written by Lucia Parker DeMarco