The Holy week reflections link
**Recommended**
>>>>>>>>https://wringtonchapel.com/holy-week-reflections/<<<<<<<
they are a great daily focus in the lead up to the Easter celebrations.
Sunrise Focus.
The burial of Jesus
Matthew 27
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The guard at the tomb
Matthew 27
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 'Sir,' they said, 'we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, "After three days I will rise again." 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.'
65 'Take a guard,' Pilate answered. 'Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.' 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Jesus has risen
Matthew 28
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
Matthew 28 : 5
The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Prayer
Jesus,
Lord we lift our hearts to you.
As the dawn breaks,
may we carry the unity we share into every moment knowing
that we are one with the risen Christ.
Lord, we lift our eyes to you.
As the sunrises, may this moment stay with us,
reminding us to look for the beautiful colours of promise in your word.
Lord, we lift our prayers to you.
As the dew air falls,
may we breathe this morning in and know that like the earth,
you sustain us, keep us and work within us always.
And so, we lift our voices to you.
We celebrate the greatest day in history,
when Jesus rose from death,
defeated darkness
and bathed the world in stunning resurrection light.
May we ever live to praise you!
Amen.
Matthew 28
7 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.'
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'
