Jesus Has Risen

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

²There 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. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷Then 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.”

⁸So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹Suddenly Jesus met them.“Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

¹¹While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹²When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,¹³telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28

I receive emails from Proverbs 31 ministries everyday and I’m horrible not to stop and read them. However, this one caught my eye so, I hit the print button. {yeah, I’m that person}

Bring raised in the south I feel like this is something bred in us from a young age. I certainly have hosted my fair share of teas, showers, housewarmings. You name it and I think my name has been listed as a hostess.

The Secret to Gracious Hospitality by Melissa Michaels

Many years ago, I met a young newlywed who’d just started attending our church. She was eight weeks away from having her first baby. As we began to get acquainted, I knew I should extend an invitation to host a baby shower for her.

My mind wandered back to the year before, when I was the guest of honor at a baby shower. My husband and I were new to a small church plant. One of the pastors’ wives planned a baby shower for me and invited all the ladies in the church. But my weekly to-do list felt so long, my budget too small and my time was short. Instead of jumping at the opportunity to bless her, I became paralyzed by the effort that would be required.

She barely knew me, and I didn’t know anyone else, so I was beyond grateful for her hospitality and looked forward to the opportunity for connection. Yet arriving 30 minutes late to my own party looking like a hot mess was not the first impression I wanted to make. In my defense, it was a 95-degree day. My swollen pregnancy feet wouldn’t fit into any of my shoes, so I’d left the house unfashionably late.

As I turned on to her street lined with parked cars, I noticed the hostess’ driveway was curiously empty. Hanging on the garage door was a large, brightly colored poster board with the words “Welcome, Mama!” Taped to the corner of the poster board was a photo of me, taken the Sunday before.

I was so touched that she’d thoughtfully considered my needs before I even arrived, reserving a parking spot just for me. Before I even had a chance to lug my belly out of the car and set my puffy feet on her porch, the pastor’s wife flung the front door open and welcomed me inside.

Immediately I began stammering out awkward apologies and explaining how unworthy I was of such lavish attention, but she waved her hands to stop me mid-excuse. “Don’t be silly. Come in, little mama. Let me grab you a plate. I saved you a comfy spot where you can put your feet up and rest.”

She handed me a cold drink and a pink paper plate filled with dainty finger sandwiches held together by toothpicks. Strangers became friends as they gathered around the table, delighting in pretty little cupcakes and party games.

I may have arrived at the party feeling alone and unworthy, but I headed home feeling loved. As I reflected on what that day meant to me, I realized I never wanted to forget what it felt like to be the receiver of generous hospitality.

Knowing how much it meant to me, why did I hesitate to offer a friend that same invitation? I had made being a hostess about meeting my needs, rather than serving someone else.

Our key Bible verse offers an example of what it takes to be such a generous host. In this story, Abraham honored his guests by anticipating and meeting their needs. He knew they’d be thirsty, hungry and dirty from traveling. He wanted them to feel refreshed for their journey ahead.

Abraham didn’t half-heartedly or tight-fistedly practice hospitality. He went above and beyond to serve his guests generously. He didn’t scrounge around in the back of his cupboard to see what remnants he could throw together. He asked for the finest flour for the bread and found a choice calf for the meat in Genesis 18:6-8.

He even decided to delegate some of the key tasks to simplify the preparations, so he was able to manage the responsibilities and still offer his very best.

A genuine heart for hospitality isn’t about finding ways to impress guests; it’s about cultivating a desire to use our gifts and offer what we have to honor and generously serve those around us. A hostess can let God’s love really shine.

With that divine opportunity in mind, I couldn’t wait to message my new friend and offer her the same invitation I received the year before. We held a baby shower that was delightful, and I pray it blessed her life as much as it blessed mine.

Dear Lord, we’re so grateful for the love You lavish on us. May we graciously open our doors to extend Your love to people You bring across our path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way.

Genesis 18:4-5