See, that he is Risen!

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Acts 28:23-31 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

Happy Easter! Christ is Risen!

Today we reach the end of Luke’s blockbuster of the “Acts of Jesus through the Apostles”. Our magnificent epic, which started in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, now reaches its closing scene in Rome, the centre of the civilised world. Our final scene is homely and domestic. In his own home, the apostle Paul is welcoming anyone who comes to see him, ‘proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance’ (v.31). I love those words – ‘without hindrance’. The gospel is unstoppable. Boundaries and barriers have been broken down. The Holy Spirit is no respecter of social distancing, as a friend of mine said in lockdown.

Today we celebrate Jesus risen from the dead. No respecter of the crowd-pleasing judgement of Pontius Pilate. No respecter of the gates of hell. No respecter of the sealed tomb. The Holy Spirit ‘raised him from the dead and seated him at [God’s] right hand in the heavenly places’ (Ephesians 1. 20).

But is this the end of the story? No. It’s just the first chapter of the adventure story that continues as our story too in Lancashire today. The gospel is unhindered. The Spirit crosses every boundary. But He divides opinion. ‘And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.’ (v.24)

If the kingdom of God and teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ is true, how can this not be blindingly obvious?

It was ever thus. This was the prophecy of Isaiah (quoted in vv.26-27 of our passage today). It was also the story on the first Easter day. Disbelief, cynicism, even fake news from the very start: ‘You must say: ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away’…’ (Matthew 28:12-15)

In the words of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (quoted by St Bede): “We are so dull and full of sleep that we miss the Glory that is all about us. If only we would open our eyes!”

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Let us pray: Jesus, Our Risen Lord, would You wake us from sleep, would You open the eyes of our county and nation to see You in all your Glory. Amen