Easter Week 1 - “Rejoice!”

Christ Church Elders
7 hours ago
2 min read

Scripture Reading

Matthew 28:1-10

Big Idea (For Parents)

The resurrected Jesus’ first word to the women recorded in Matthew is a command: “Rejoice!” (v.9 NKJV, NASB20; the command is also used as a greeting and thus is translated as “Greetings!” in some English versions). Framed by a pair of commands to not fear and to go and tell (v. 5-7, 10), the command to “rejoice” is presented as the central, core command given to these first witnesses to the resurrection. Jesus commands our joy! Despite the ongoing sin, death and pain in the world (certainly present for the women in this story as much as for us!), Jesus has overcome and he now empowers us, more and more each day, to choose joy in him. As we take steps of faith to outwardly live into joy, Jesus works in us to align our feelings to our actions.

Family Reflection

(Read aloud or summarize)

God commands us to do lots of things. He says, “Obey your parents.” He says, “Love God and your neighbor.” But here, the resurrected Jesus’ central command to his followers is to “rejoice!”

Jesus died, but death doesn’t win! We sinned, but sin doesn’t win! Jesus rose again, and because of that, no matter how hard things in this life are, we can and must choose joy.

So what is joy? Biblical joy is much greater and lasting than our more passing lighthearted laughter and fun experiences, but it is also not less than them. In fact, laughter in the proper times is part of the victorious resurrection joy which Jesus commands (Luke 6:21).

So this Easter season we will rejoice, have fun, laugh and celebrate. Why? Because Jesus commanded it!

Discussion Questions

(Choose 1–2, adjust for age)

1- What is one fun activity you do as a family?

2- What is something that gets you all laughing as a family?

3- Why is it sometimes hard to enjoy activities which we normally like doing?

Practice—Have FUN!

Enjoy an activity as a family which gets you laughing or otherwise having a truly fun time together. Make sure to remind yourselves that you’re doing so because Jesus commanded it!